Lakhimpur Kheri case witness hurt in Holi squabble: U.P. tells SC

State was responding to plea by families of farmers mowed down by an SUV that he was brutally attacked and threatened in reference to BJP’s win in Assembly polls

A Lakhimpur Kheri case witness was hurt in a “sudden altercation” that broke out after miscreants threw Holi colours on him, the Uttar Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court.

The State was responding to a plea made by the families of the farmers mowed down by an SUV in October 2021 that witness Diljot Singh was brutally attacked and threatened by his assailants in reference to the BJP’s win in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

“Some people were playing with Holi gulal near a school and threw it on Diljot Singh as well. He objected and an altercation broke out. One of the miscreants hit him with a belt and others kicked and punched him. None of the miscreants mentioned the ruling party winning the Assembly elections,” the State affidavit submitted.

It said that every one of the witnesses is protected by an armed gunner and a personal security guard. CCTV cameras monitor continuously. So far, 98 victims have been provided security.

The families, represented by senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Prashant Bhushan, have also challenged the grant of bail to Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni and prime accused in the case. The allegation is that Mr. Mishra was part of the group that rammed the vehicle into the farmers who were participating in a rally against the controversial farm laws in Lakhimpur Kheri.

The farmers stated that the government had not even bothered to challenge the grant of bail to him, forcing the families themselves to approach the top court for justice.

Countering, the government said it had “vehemently opposed” the bail before the Allahabad High Court. It was still not late for it to appeal the bail order. The option to go in appeal was under consideration.