Lakhimpur violence case: Ashish Mishra’s rifle fired, reports

Lucknow: The rifle seized from Ashish Mishra, son of Ajay Mishra according to forensics reports had been shot at some point. However, according to one media report, the analysis could not ascertain whether the gun was fired on October 3 (the day of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence) or on a different day.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) had analyses four seized weapons and found that three of them – Ashish’s rifle; a pistol belonging to Ashish’s friend Ankit Das; and a repeater gun carried by Das’s bodyguard Lateef – had all been discharged. Results of the fourth forensic analysis, on Das’s associate Satya Prakash’s revolver, are still awaited.

“Ashish’s rifle was handed over to the SIT by his family. All four seized weapons were sent to the FSL for ballistic examination. We have now received the report, which states that bullets were fired from three weapons, which belong to Ashish, Ankit, and Lateef. We will submit the report to the court as evidence,” a police officer told the Indian Express.

Several eyewitnesses have alleged that shots were fired on October 3, the day when a VIP convoy allegedly ferrying Ashish, Das and others mowed down four protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Two BJP workers, a journalist and Ajay Mishra’s driver were killed in the violence that followed. One of the cars involved in running over the farmers was a Mahindra Thar SUV owned by Ajay Mishra.

Ashish is among the 13 people facing murder and other charges for the violence that day. All 13 are currently in judicial custody. Autopsies on those who died do not show any gunshot wounds.

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for slow progress into the investigation, including delayed results of forensic analysis on cellphones of the accused. The bench also noted that it appeared as though the police was trying to club two cases – one on the farmers’ deaths and the other on the mob violence that followed – in order to “shield one accused”.

Farmers’ leaders and opposition members have been criticising the BJP for allowing Ajay Mishra to continue in his position despite his son’s alleged involvement in the violent crime.

Family members of Raman Kashyap – the journalist who was killed at the scene – on Tuesday approached a district court seeking another FIR (specifically on the journalist’s death) against 14 people, including Ashish. In his petition, Raman’s brother Pavan claimed that the current FIR had no mention of the journalist’s death and police refused to lodge another one despite repeated requests.