‘Investigation Can’t Be An Unending Story’: Supreme Court On Lakhimpur Violence

Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Wednesday strictly questioned the Uttar Pradesh government in its hearing of a PIL concerning the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which 8 persons were killed during a farmers’ protest.

The supreme court sternly said to the UP government, “The investigations can’t be an unending story & the state must dispel the view that the police is dragging its feet in the investigation.”

The court further asked the government why are statements of vulnerable witnesses had not been recorded yet.

“Your SIT can recognize who are the most vulnerable witnesses and can be browbeaten… then why only four witness statements have been recorded?” The court said.

“Uttar Pradesh government assures the Supreme Court that it will provide protection to the witnesses,” added SC.

In regards to the first FIR, 10 accused have been arrested so far, the UP government informed.

Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for the UP govt tells SC that a status report in a sealed cover has been filed in the case.

SC Chief of Justice said that the judges waited till late last night for any filing and received it now. Earlier, the court had asked the UP government to file a status report of the investigation and arrest made in the case by October 8 (Friday).

They asked the UP government to file further status reports before October 26.

Following a request from Salve, the Judges refused to adjourn the matter for Friday.

Supreme Court will next hear the matter on October 26, thereby giving time to the Uttar Pradesh government to record statements of other witnesses.

Eight people were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday as violence erupted during the farmers’ protest, claiming the lives of both farmers, BJP workers and a journalist on October 3.

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