SIT issues summons to 12 farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri violence

Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh): 12 farmers have been summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the alleged lynching of three BJP workers during the violence that broke out in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3.

As per reports, the SIT has issued summons to record statements of the farmers who were present on the spot and were part of the mob. A few of them appeared before them earlier but none were arrested.

Most of these farmers had earlier stated that they were present at the spot but were not involved in the attack. They were, at that time, charged under bailable sections such as 'rioting' and 'voluntarily causing hurt and were let off by the SIT officials under Section 41 of the CrPC.

Advocate Harjeet Singh, who is representing the farmers, said that a few farmers were earlier summoned for questioning under lenient sections as they were part of the mob but were not involved in the violence.

"The farmers who received the summons now are the ones who are witnesses in the case of the murder of farmers. We are waiting for the SIT to find the two other accused in the convoy who managed to escape."

Seven farmers have been arrested in the case so far and the SIT is looking for more suspects.

Violence had erupted in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 last year when farmers were protesting the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to Mishra's native place.

Four agitating farmers were run over by a vehicle while four others, including a journalist, two BJP workers were also killed in the violence that ensued.

Cross FIRs were registered in the case and the SIT submitted a charge sheet in which 14 people, including Ashish, who is in jail for the death of the farmers, were named. Seven farmers have been arrested in the lynching case. The investigation in the latter case is ongoing.

Meanwhile, a copy of the charge sheet filed by the SIT in court against Ashish and 13 others for the deaths of farmers has been given to their counsel Avadesh Kumar Singh. Ashish's bail plea will be heard by the Lucknow High Court on Thursday.