Lucknow, Oct 6: The apex court on Wednesday took suo motu cognizance of the Lakhimpur Kheri case and the matter will be heard on Thursday.
Eight persons were killed and several injured in the violence that followed a farmers’ protest in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. A local journalist was among the deceased persons.
A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli will hear the matter on Thursday.
Two lawyers from Uttar Pradesh had written to the CJI seeking a probe by CBI.
In their letter, advocates Shivkumar Tripathi and CS Panda also sought a direction to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the registration of an FIR in the matter as well as punishment to the guilty parties involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, dispute arose between the Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh government at the Lucknow airport for quite some time on Wednesday afternoon.
While Rahul wanted to go to Lakhimpur by his own vehicle, the UP government wanted the Congress leader to board police vehicle.
The Congress leaders led by Rahul Gandhi sat on dharna on the conveyor belt for around 30 minutes. “They are adopting undemocratic way and forcing us to go to Lakhimpur in their vehicle. I am ready to stay here for 15 days if required but won’t go in a police vehicle,” Rahul said.
Later, after 30 minutes of commotion, the UP government accepted Rahul’s demand and allowed him to go in his private vehicle to Sitapur.
In Sitapur, Rahul will meet his sister Priyanka and then they both along with other leaders including two CMs of Punjab and Chhattisgarh will go to Lakhimpur Kheri.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Congress supporters raised anti-government slogans at the airport. Police also used mild force to disperse the mob at the airport.
