Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

One of the main accused in Lakhimpur Kheri killings, Ashish Mishra aka ‘Monu bhaiya’, son of the Union minister of state for home affairs Ajay Mishra, has skipped the first summon by the Uttar Pradesh Police. He was asked to come to the crime branch, Reserve Police Lines in Kheri district at 10 am today on October 8 for questioning in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that left four farmers, two BJP workers, their driver, and a journalist Raman Kashyap dead on October 3.

Gaon Connection spoke with some political sources, who said that Ashish Mishra, had escaped to the neighbouring country Nepal. Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh is the border district of India and Nepal.

As per the source from an opposition party, the accused escaped to Nepal on October 6 — a day before the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government announced to summon him.

The Supreme Court of India had yesterday asked the UP govt to file a status report today, on October 8, including details of the accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) and if they have been arrested, in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. The apex court has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government on the steps taken by it in connection with the Lakhmipur Kheri killings.

Also Read: Lakhimpur Kheri: Not satisfied with the steps taken by UP govt, says Supreme Court

On being contacted, the workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said they had no information about Ashish Mishra escaping to Nepal.

BJP worker accused in Lakhimpur Kheri killings

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed on October 4 against the Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son, Ashish Mishra accusing him for murder and conspiracy.

The FIR noted that he was sitting on the left side of the SUV and mowed down the protesting farmers. A viral video, reportedly from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, shows an SUV running over a group of protesting farmers who were walking on the road holding flags.

However, Union Minister Ajay Mishra and his son Ashish Mishra have maintained that he was not present at the spot and was not driving the car. “My son was not present at the place of Lakhimpur Kheri incident; have video evidence,” he was quoted as saying.

Along with Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra, 15-20 ‘unknown’ persons have also been booked under eight sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Who is Ashish Mishra aka ‘Monu bhaiya’?

“A local criminal… a dabang (wrestler),” Surendra Rajput, spokesperson Indian National Congress, told Gaon Connection when asked about the Lakhimpur Kheri accused Ashish Mishra.

Rajput quoted a 2000 incident when reportedly Union Minister Ajay Mishra was named in the murder case of a 23-year-old youth who was shot dead in the Tikoniya area of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Ajay Mishra was reportedly acquitted in 2004, but the family of the victim filed an appeal in the Allahabad High Court, and the case is still sub-judice.

“Congress demands dismissal of the accused minister and arrest of his son Ashish Mishra,” Rajput said.

Gaon Connection could not independently verify these allegations on the accused in the case. 

Meanwhile, Gaon Connection also contacted BJP party workers from Lakhimpur Kheri over allegations made by opposition party members. “Opposition leaders coming here don’t know the ground reality, if you ask local people here they would tell who is the real gunda (gangster),” Sharad Mishra, party worker, told Gaon Connection.

According to Sharad, Ashish Mishra has been running a pre-poll campaign in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Ashish was hopeful of bagging a ticket from Nighasan for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections next year in 2022. 

Reportedly, a few posters were put up in the Nighasan area that read ‘Yuvaon ki pukaar, Monu Bhaiya abki baar’ (the youth are calling for Monu Bhaiya this time).

“He was an active worker of the BJP. To set a narrative about the member of parliament [Ajay Mishra] and his son is wrong. His [Ashish Mishra] nature is very nice,” said Sharad.

As per Sharad, Ashish used to hold a janta darbar (public meeting) to listen to the woes of people. “He used to talk to people very nicely. He is a positive person. Jan pratinidhi (a public representative) cannot commit such crimes because they know what would be its impact. Public does not vote for a gangster but a public representative,” said the BJP party worker.

There is no confirmation of where Ashish Mishra is at present.