SIT says killings a 'planned conspiracy'
Lucknow: After two months of investigation into the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, the UP Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted to a court that the killing of four farmers and a journalist, in which Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra's son Ashish and 12 others are accused, was a "planned conspiracy".
In an application to a local court on Monday, the SIT denied that the incident occurred because of negligence or callousness and said the act was deliberate, with an intention to kill. It also sought to invoke charges, including an attempt to murder and others against the accused, who are currently in Lakhimpur Kheri jail.
Senior Public Prosecutor, Lakhimpur Kheri, S P Yadav said the SIT requested the court that IPC Sections 307, 326, 34 along with Sections 3, 25 and 30 of the Arms Act be invoked against all 13, in addition to the charges mentioned in the FIR (of murder and criminal conspiracy, among others). The court is yet to decide on the SIT's application.
While IPC Section 307 relates to attempt to murder charges, 326 covers voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means and 34 acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. The defence counsel has objected to invoking Section 34, Yadav said.
The SIT also requested the court to drop three IPC Sections against the accused, including 279 (for rash driving), 338 (causing grievous hurt by acts endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 A (death by negligence).
Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss MoS Mishra, and initiate a probe into his role in the violence.
On October 3, a convoy of three SUVs, including one owned by Ajay Mishra, had run over a group of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, killing four of them. The family of a journalist had said he too died in the incident.
Videos that caused waves of shock and anger showed an SUV running over farmers at full speed.
In the violence that followed, two BJP leaders and a driver of the vehicle owned by Mishra were lynched by the angry mob.
As the ruling BJP prepares for polls in Uttar Pradesh, the new development signals huge trouble for Ajay Mishra, who has remained in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government despite calls for his sacking.
The minister met with his son in jail on Tuesday.
Last month, the Supreme Court directed the Special Investigation Team to complete the investigation expeditiously. It also added three IPS officers to the team — those who are not from Uttar Pradesh, though they are allocated to the UP cadre. This was done over concerns that local policemen would manipulate the probe.
