Not satisfied with steps taken by UP govt in Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, says SC

It asked the State whether accused in other cases lodged under Section 302 are treated the same way.

The Supreme Court on Friday said it is not satisfied with the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case in which eight persons were killed on October 3 and questioned it over not arresting the accused against whom FIR has been lodged.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana told senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the State government, to communicate to the top most police official that evidence and other relevant materials in the case are not destroyed. “What is the message you (State) are sending,” said the Bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli.

It asked the State whether accused in other cases lodged under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code are treated the same way. “If you see the FIR, Section 302 is there. Is it the same way you treat other accused,” the Bench asked, while terming it as a “very serious charge”.