New Delhi, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed its Registry to forward an application containing allegations against the trial judge hearing the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case to the Allahabad High Court and sought a report on the matter in a sealed cover.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing proceedings concerning Ashish Mishra alias Monu, the prime accused in the case, as the apex court continued to monitor the progress of the trial.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the complainant and victims, raised concerns over the conduct of the proceedings and sought a change of the trial judge.
Bhushan alleged that the judge had taken up cases assigned to other courts, including matters under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and granted relief to accused persons.
He also referred to the case of eyewitness Sher Singh, who was unable to appear before the trial court due to illness. According to Bhushan, although the witness had submitted a medical certificate, the trial judge issued a non-bailable warrant against him.
Bhushan further alleged that police subsequently approached Singh’s parents, following which the witness expressed reluctance to appear before the trial court.
The victims’ counsel also raised concerns over the replacement of the public prosecutor handling the case, alleging that the newly appointed prosecutor had limited experience. He additionally claimed that the site plan connected with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case was missing from the trial court records.
Bhushan submitted that allowing the present trial judge to continue could result in a “gross miscarriage of justice” and urged the Supreme Court to order a change.
The Supreme Court, however, noted that administrative control over the trial judge rests with the Allahabad High Court. The bench consequently directed its Registry to forward the application to the High Court for consideration and appropriate action.
“The Registry is directed to forward a copy of the application to the Allahabad High Court with a request to look into the matter and take appropriate remedial action. The High Court will forward a report to this court in sealed cover pursuant to action that may be taken by Hon’ble the Chief Justice,” the Supreme Court ordered.
The bench also took note of the concerns raised over the change in the public prosecutor and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to place on record details of a senior and experienced prosecutor who could be assigned to the case.
The directions came as the Supreme Court continued its monitoring of the criminal proceedings arising from the October 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, in which eight people were killed during protests linked to the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR, four protesting farmers were allegedly mowed down by an SUV in which Ashish Mishra was present. The subsequent violence also resulted in the deaths of other individuals.
The Supreme Court had earlier expressed concern over the pace of the trial and directed the trial court to take lawful steps to secure the presence of witnesses while ensuring compliance with the witness protection mechanism.
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