According to the court’s order, Ashish Mishra, also known as Monu Mishra, has been permitted to stay at his home in Lakhimpur Kheri until November 16. He must leave the town after the permitted period ends.
During the hearing, Prashant Bhushan, the lawyer appearing for the petitioner, said the transfer of the judge hearing the case was a positive development. However, the lawyer representing Ashish Mishra described the transfer as a routine administrative transfer.
The Uttar Pradesh government informed the court that the case involves a total of 131 witnesses, of whom statements from 90 have been recorded so far.
In an earlier hearing, Prashant Bhushan had questioned the conduct of the trial court judge, alleging that the judge had taken several steps that were surprising. According to Bhushan, the judge had issued a non-bailable warrant against an eyewitness in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case even though the witness had submitted a medical certificate explaining his illness.
Bhushan had sought the judge’s replacement, arguing that continuing the trial under the same judge could raise questions about the fairness of the proceedings. Following these allegations, the Supreme Court sought a report from the High Court in a sealed cover. The judge hearing the case was subsequently transferred.
Ashish Mishra is currently out on bail but had not been permitted to visit his hometown in Lakhimpur Kheri. On Monday, the court granted him permission to travel there to celebrate the upcoming Diwali festival with his family and close relatives, subject to the conditions imposed earlier.
The court’s order stated, “The petitioner is permitted to visit his hometown in Lakhimpur Kheri to celebrate the forthcoming Diwali with his family and close relatives. This permission shall be subject to the conditions imposed earlier.”
The order further directed him to return on October 16.
The case remains at the trial stage, with statements from 90 of the 131 witnesses recorded so far. The Supreme Court’s latest order addresses Ashish Mishra’s temporary visit to his hometown while the proceedings continue.
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