Lakhimpur Killings: BJP Minister Ajay Mishra's Son Finally Appears Before SIT After Second Summon

Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra appeared for questioning before the SIT on Saturday in the crime branch of the Police Lines here in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence on October 3.

Ashish Mishra appeared before the special investigation team (SIT) before 11 a.m, the time mentioned in the second summons served to him the previous day after he did not turn up for interrogation on Friday. 

Police officials here at the spot refused to comment on the ongoing interrogation. 

However, attacking the Uttar Pradesh Government over the handling of the probe in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday alleged it was giving "bouquet" to culprits instead of bringing them to book. 

 Meanwhile, Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu ended his "silent protest" after the minister's son turned up for questioning.

The Punjab Congress unit chief began his 'maun dharna' from 6.15 pm on Friday outside the home of local journalist Ram Kashyap in Nighasan tehsil. The protest came to an end around 11.30 am on Saturday 

Kashyap had also died in the incident on October 3. 

Speaking to reporters after ending his fast, Sidhu said, "This is the victory of truth. A person may be a king, but no one is bigger than justice. If there is justice, there is 'shaasan' (governance), and if there is no justice, there is 'kushaasan' (misgovernance). This is the victory of the families of farmers -- the family of Lovpreet Singh and the family of Raman Kashyap." 

Lovepreet Singh of Palia village of Lakhimpur is among the four farmers who died in the violence. 

While Ashish Mishra is facing questioning by the SIT team headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Upendra Agarwal, his father Ajay Mishra is huddled with lawyers at his local party office in Lakhimpur.

Sources said the police team has prepared over two dozen questions for Ashish Mishra to answer in connection with the case. 

After two men were arrested on Thursday in the case, police then had pasted a notice outside Ashish Mishra's house asking him to appear before it in connection with the violence that claimed eight lives. 

Four of the eight people who died in the violence last Sunday were farmers, allegedly knocked down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers. Angry farmers then allegedly lynched some people in the vehicles. 

The other dead included two BJP workers and their driver. 

Farmers claimed that Ashish Mishra was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and his father who say they can produce evidence to prove he was at an event at that time. 

 A nine-member team headed by DIG Agarwal has been formed to investigate the FIR lodged against the minister's son and others.

Culprits being handed over bouquets: Akhilesh Yadav 

In Lucknow, attacking the UP government over the handling of the probe in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, SPchief Akhilesh Yadav alleged it was giving "bouquet" to culprits instead of bringing them to book. 

The Opposition leader's remarks came barely a few hours after Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra appeared before the special investigation team (SIT) formed in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. 

Speaking to reporters here, Yadav alleged, "The way farmers were crushed, now preparations are on to crush the laws. This government has pulverised the Constitution. 

 "You have seen how a vehicle ran over farmers who were fighting for their rights. The guilty persons are yet to be caught. Instead of giving summons, a flower bouquet is being given. The summon is only in name, and (in reality) 'samman' (honour) is given." 

The former UP chief minister said that officials including those in the local intelligence unit and administration must have had information that such an incident could occur.

 Despite this, the farmers died, he said. 

 Accusing the UP government of shielding the guilty, he again demanded the resignation of Ajay Mishra from the Union Council of Ministers. 

 "The MoS had said that he had been an MP, MLA, but he had also been something else and was threatening the farmers. 

 "The government claims that it is a 'damdaar sarkaar'. Is the government only for the powerful and not for the farmers? 

 "In the coming time, the BJP will be wiped out," he warned.

 The family members of the aggrieved persons want justice and punishment for the guilty. "The law of the country is being pulverised under the tyres of a jeep," he said.