Lakhimpur Kheri: Minister's son expected to appear before UP police today

Lucknow: Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra will be appearing before the Uttar Pradesh police today. He is accused of running over farmers protesting at Lakhimpur Kheri. He skipped the summons yesterday citing health reasons.

The UP Police DIG waited for three hours for Mishra to show up yesterday. He has arrived at the Lakhimpur police station again.

The notice was issued to Ashish Mishra under Section 160 CrPC, which concerns the attendance of witnesses. Police sources told NDTV that a person summoned under this section can also be arrested on the basis of their statements.

The Lakhimpur Kheri incident FIR says that Ashish Mishra was seen driving an SUV into the gathering of farmers. This turned the peaceful black flag protest violent. Eight people including four farmers and a journalist died.

Ashish Mishra is named in the FIR but the police haven't arrested him. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his government will not arrest anyone on the basis of allegations, reported NDTV.

The Supreme Court has taken over the case and reminded the UP government that the law must take its course against whoever is involved. Chief Justice NV Ramana said that it appears to be only words and no actions.

Union Minister Ajay Mishra had said that the SUV that ran over the farmers belong to him but his son was not driving it. He stated that Ashish was not at the Lakhimpur Kheri protest site at the time of the incident but at another venue.

Luv Kush and Ashish Pandey were arrested on Thursday as they were alleged to be in the same SUV.