A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana dismissed Mishra’s application seeking modification of the travel restrictions imposed while granting him bail.
“There is no ground to entertain this prayer at this stage,” the Bench observed while refusing the request.
During the hearing, Mishra’s counsel argued that the existing bail conditions prevented him from attending family events, including his daughters’ birthday celebrations, and sought further relaxation of the restrictions.
Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the complainants, raised concerns over the conduct of the trial, alleging that several key prosecution witnesses, including eyewitnesses, were being dropped because of the pace at which the proceedings were being conducted. He submitted that witnesses were being summoned at short notice and omitted if they failed to appear.
The Bench, however, said such grievances should first be raised before the trial court. It clarified that the Supreme Court would consider the matter only after the issues had been placed before the trial court.
Earlier, the apex court had expressed concern over delays in the trial and directed the trial court to take lawful measures to ensure the appearance of witnesses while safeguarding them under the witness protection mechanism. It had also advised the prosecution to drop unnecessary formal witnesses to expedite the proceedings.
The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Mishra in January 2023, imposing strict conditions, including a prohibition on entering Uttar Pradesh except for attending trial proceedings. The court had also warned that any attempt to influence witnesses by Mishra or his family members would result in cancellation of bail.
The interim bail was made absolute in July 2024. Subsequently, the court relaxed certain conditions, allowing him to stay in Lucknow or Delhi and permitting weekend family visits, subject to his return to Lucknow by Sunday. On earlier occasions, he was also granted temporary permission to visit Lakhimpur Kheri for specific family engagements and Diwali celebrations.
The Lakhimpur Kheri violence took place in October 2021 during protests by farmers against the visit of then Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Eight people lost their lives in the violence. According to the FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police, four protesting farmers were run over by an SUV in which Ashish Mishra was allegedly present.
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