Can consider appointing retd SC judge to monitor Lakhimpur Kheri probe: SC
The Supreme Court on Monday, November 15, directed the Uttar Pradesh government to "upgrade the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and introduce senior officials" to ensure proper investigation. The SC also said that it will pass its order on appointing a judge to oversee the Lakhimpur Kheri case investigations on Wednesday when it hears the matter next.
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. In the violence that ensued, four more lives had been lost the same day. Union minister Ajay Misra’s son Ajay Misra is the prime accused in the case.
The UP government on Monday told the SC that the court may appoint a retired judge (SC had suggested ex-Punjab and Haryana HC Judges Ranjit Singh or Rakesh K Jain) to supervise the SIT probe into the October 3 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.