Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Supreme Court adjourns hearing to October 26

New Delhi, Oct 20: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned hearing the matter pertaining to Lakhimpur Kheri in which eight persons, including four farmers, were killed during a farmers' protest.

The Uttar Pradesh government has submitted an affidavit in a sealed cover in connection with the violence that broke out at Lakhimpur-Kheri.

The government also told the court that it has arrested 10 accused in connection with the case in which a vehicle plowed through farmers. The police has arrested 10 persons of whom only 4 are in police custody, the government also said. It also said that the son of a Union Minister too has been arrested.

"We received the sealed cover just now. Yesterday night till 1'o clock we waited for any additional material..but nothing," the three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, said.

CJI says judges waited till late last night for any filing, we received it now. "Status report filed has been perused. Senior counsels submit that statements will be recorded under 164, and has sought time to take more instructions. Matter to be taken up next on 26th October."

Ten people, including Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra, have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

The top court is hearing the matter after two lawyers had written a letter to the CJI seeking a high-level judicial inquiry, also involving the CBI, into the incident.

Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when a group agitating against the Centre's three new farm laws was holding a demonstration against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on October 3.

Two BJP workers and a driver were beaten to death allegedly by the angry protesters, while a local journalist was also killed in the violence.

Several farmer organisations are protesting against the passage of three laws - The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 since last November.

The apex court had stayed the implementation of these laws in January.

Initially, the protests started from Punjab in November last year and later spread to Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh

While hearing the matter on October 8, the apex court had questioned the Uttar Pradesh government over the non-arrest of all the accused and had directed preservation of evidence.

The bench had said, the law must take its course against all accused and the government has to take all remedial steps in this regard to inspire confidence in the investigation of brutal murder of eight persons .