The UP government, according to CJI Ramana, should handle the accused the same way it treats other accused in other cases.
The Uttar Pradesh government was chastised by the Supreme Court today for its handling of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. The Supreme Court also questioned why Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son, Ashish, had not yet been detained by Yogi Adityanath’s government. Following the violence on Sunday, October 3, Ashish was charged with murder.
The Uttar Pradesh government told the court that Ashish Misra had requested more time to appear before the police and had been granted it until 11 a.m. tomorrow. An arrest warrant will be sought if Ashish fails to appear before the police tomorrow, according to the statement.
The court further stated that it has examined the details of the SIT (Special Investigation Team), which consists of local DIG, SP, and circle officers. The police have been ordered by the court to guarantee that the evidence is not destroyed or tampered with. The apex court stated that continuing with the officers who are already in the field is not an option because their behaviour has been unacceptable.
Chief Justice NV Ramana, who is hearing the case for the second day in a row, stated that the court is dissatisfied with the UP government’s actions. Because the allegations are so serious, CJI Ramana believes the government and police should be more accountable.
The court inquired as to what message the UP government is conveying by its inaction in the case. The top court went on to say that things haven’t gone as they should, and that the UP government’s actions appear to be little more than rhetoric.
The UP government, according to CJI Ramana, should handle the accused the same way it treats other accused in other cases. The CJI was also concerned about the matter being handed to the CBI.
The Uttar Pradesh government was also directed by the Supreme Court to provide the court with a list of other agencies that could undertake the investigation. The matter has been rescheduled for a hearing on October 20.
(With inputs from The Financial Express.)
The Chenab Times News Desk