Dismissing the allegations of influencing witnesses, Sidharth Dave, lawyer appearing for Mishra, said, on the relevant day, Mishra was at the Lok Sabha secretariat and there cannot be a bigger proof of the allegations being misplaced. “The applicants have developed a habit of repeatedly making such kind of allegations against Mishra,” Dave argued.On the other hand, Prashant Bhushan, lawyer for the family members, said that the identity of the witnesses sought to be influenced can’t be revealed due to fear of reprisal. “The bail of the accused (Ashish Mishra) should be cancelled immediately for breach of the SC’s orders,” he argued before the apex court.According to the prosecution, eight people, including four farmers, were allegedly killed on October 3, 2021, after violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh during a protest against the Centre’s farm laws that have now been repealed. The violence broke out after a vehicle belonging to Mishra had allegedly run over a group of demonstrators.The Supreme Court in February last year had extended the interim bail granted to Mishra who has vehemently denied the allegations against him.Mishra was first arrested in the case on October 9, 2021. He walked out of jail on February 15, 2022, after the Allahabad High Court had granted him bail.On December 6, an Uttar Pradesh court had framed charges against 14 people including Mishra. He has been charged for a number of offences including murder, attempt to murder, rioting and criminal conspiracy. The trial had begun on December 16, 2023.
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