Connect with us
Thursday,04-December-2025
Breaking News

Crime

‘Don’t approve, not good’, SC reserves order on plea challenging bail to Ashish Mishra

Published

on

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved the order on a petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to Ashish Mishra, prime accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case which claimed eight lives.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Suya Kant and Hima Kohli made strong observations against the February 10 Allahabad High Court granting bail to Mishra. “We don’t approve of such irrelevant things…don’t want to use word nonsense,” said the bench. It further added, “This is not good…what we feel this way going into the merits, injuries (caused by bullet) is not necessary.”

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted that the alleged offence is very serious and the state government has provided adequate security to all the 98 witnesses in the case, and the police are also in regular touch with them.

The bench noted that the top court appointed Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to monitor the Lakhimpur Kheri violence probe, and had recommended cancellation of bail granted to Mishra.

The Chief Justice told Jethmalani, “Not filing SLP (special leave petition), protection provided to witnesses, these all are not issues…state should have acted on suggestions made by the SIT. We are not forcing you to file an SLP.”

The Chief Justice further categorically asked Jethmalani, “What is your stand?” Jethmalani replied that Mishra is not a flight risk and to say the offence was intentional or not, is a matter of trial, and reiterated that offence is serious.

During the hearing, the bench observed why did the high court judge go into merits of the case in a bail matter. The bench noted, “Forget about merits, how can the judge go into all this post mortem and all?”

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing the family members of the victims’, submitted that the high court failed to consider relevant facts, and the order suffered from gross non-application of mind by the high court. After hearing detailed arguments in the matter, the top court reserved the order.

Jethmalani said the state government opposed the bail granted to Mishra in the case.

Mishra was arrested on October 9 last year in the case. On October 3, 2021, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri in clashes during a farmers’ protest. He was granted bail on February 10.

The family members of the farmers, mowed down by a car belonging to Mishra, in Lakhimpur Kheri had moved the top court challenging bail granted to him. He is the son of Union Minister and BJP MP Ajay Kumar Mishra. The victims’ families have claimed that the state has not filed an appeal opposing bail granted to Mishra.

In November last year, the Supreme Court appointed Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to monitor the Lakhimpur Kheri violence probe. The top court also reconstituted the SIT investigating the incident and appointed IPS officer S.B. Shiradkar, as its head.

Crime

Ulhasnagar Woman Harassed in Divyang Coach Of Mumbai Local Train; 2 Arrested

Published

on

Kalyan: In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman from Ulhasnagar was allegedly harassed in the Divyang coach of a Mumbai local train on December 2. The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 2, at around 8.15 pm.

In the video shared by, while returning from work in Thane, she boarded the Central Railways Thane-Kalyan train. After the train crossed Dombivali, the woman argued with the accused, identified as Anup Surendra Singh, and Abhilasha Arjun Nayar regarding the Divyang pass. The woman alleged that after she had a heated argument, the two accused caught her hand and even eve-teased her.

When they got down at Ulhasnagar station, all three, along with another eyewitness, had a huge argument at the station. Railway Police soon reached the platform, where several women intervened and confronted the officers about the incident. The police then later moved the accused to the Kalyan Railway Police Station, and based on the woman’s complaint, a case was registered under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both the accused have been arrested.

Meanwhile, last month, a 25-year-old transgender person was arrested by the Vashi Government Railway Police (GRP) for allegedly molesting a 28-year-old woman aboard a Panvel to CSMT local train on 2 November. The incident occurred around 12.10 pm when the train was nearing Nerul station. The accused, when he boarded the general compartment of the harbour line train, was seeking alms from passengers. When the train crossed Seawoods station, an argument broke out between the accused and a male passenger who refused to give money.

The man, accompanied by a female friend, asked the accused to move ahead, leading to a heated verbal exchange. During the confrontation, the accused allegedly abused the man and touched the woman on her shoulder, which made her uncomfortable. A complaint was filed and the accused was taken into custody by the Vashi GRP.

Continue Reading

Crime

Massive Drug Bust In Nalasopara: Nigerian National Caught With 255 Grams Of Mephedrone Worth ₹51 Lakh

Published

on

Nalasopara: The biggest news right now is the recovery of a large quantity of drugs in Nalasopara, which has created a stir in the area.

The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Tulinj Police Station, in the Prgati Nagar area of Nalasopara East. According to information received, the Crime Branch Unit 2 team got a tip-off that an unknown person was coming to the area to smuggle a large quantity of drugs.

Following this intelligence, the Crime Branch Unit 2 team laid a trap and apprehended the Nigerian individual on the road. During the search, approximately 255 grams of MD (Mephedrone) drugs were seized from him, with a total value estimated at around ₹51 lakh 10 thousand.

The recovery of such a large amount of drugs in broad daylight, just 25 meters away from the Pragati Nagar Beat police chowki (under Tulinj Police Station), has created a sensation and panic in the locality.

Currently, the Crime Branch Unit 3 team has arrested the Nigerian national from the Pragati Nagar area in connection with drug trafficking, carrying out a major operation.

Continue Reading

Crime

Sexual assault case: Court reserves order on Cong MLA Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail plea

Published

on

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3: A court on Wednesday reserved order on the anticipatory bail plea of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused of raping and coercing a woman into an unsafe abortion.

After a 90-minute closed-door hearing, the Court said that since a maze of documents has to be perused, the orders will come accordingly.

Before the start of the hearing, the court cleared the room, reflecting the sensitivity of the case that triggered a major political storm in the state.

Mamkootathil’s counsel argued that the complaint was “motivated and aimed at destroying his political career”, alleging a conspiracy involving the CPI(M) and BJP.

He maintained that the relationship had been consensual and claimed the pregnancy was not related to him.

The defence further argued that the woman herself opted for an abortion. It was also pointed out that this case is being used to divert public attention from the Sabarimala gold smuggling controversy.

The court, after listening to both sides, reserved its order and directed the prosecution to file one more supporting document.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team has submitted a detailed report to the court, reportedly containing grave findings.

According to the report, the woman was raped multiple times and was threatened into undergoing an abortion.

Investigators say they have evidence to support allegations of sexual assault and coercion.

The prosecution argued strongly against granting bail, highlighting Mamkootathil’s influence as a public representative.

If released, they warned, he could intimidate the complainant or destroy crucial evidence.

For Mamkootathil, the case has become politically existential.

A court order against him could result in expulsion from his party, for which a majority in the party have gone on record tasking the party’s top brass to ensure that he is expelled.

In August, when this case first surfaced, the party stripped him of the post of Youth Congress president and suspended him from the party.

Even as the case tightens around him, the police have yet to trace the legislator, who, they say, is absconding in Bengaluru, seven days after the complaint was filed.

In her confidential deposition before the Neyyattinkara JFCM court, the woman detailed multiple instances of rape, twice in a Thiruvananthapuram flat and later in Palakkad.

She alleged that Rahul recorded videos of the assaults, used them to threaten her, and repeatedly intimidated her over the phone.

According to the prosecution, Mamkootathil’s friend Joby Joseph delivered the abortion pill and has been named a co-accused.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending