Thread by @barandbench

[LIVE THREAD] Supreme Court to hear a PIL seeking a CBI probe into Lakhimpur Kheri violence that left eight dead, including a group of farmers #SupremeCourt #LakhimpurKheri #SuoMotu

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli had sought a status report from UP govt on who all are the accused and whom have been arrested. #SupremeCourt #LakhimpurKheri

Matter to start now
#supremecourt #LakhimpurKheri

Adv Agnish Aditya: i want to mention something in relation to this matter

CJI: We have received hundreds of emails. First we will hear the state counsel

UP AAG: Sr Adv Harish Salve is leading me today

Sr Adv Salve argues #supremecourt #lakhimpurkheri

Sr Adv Salve arguing in some other court

UP AAG: Please pass this over.

CJI: Pass it over #supremecourt #lakhimpurkheri

Matter to be taken up shortly
#supremecourt #lakhimpurkheri

Lakhimpur Kheri Uttar Pradesh: Suo motu case hearing before Supreme Court [Live Updates]

#LakhimpurKheriViolence #SupremeCourt

Read live account from Supreme Court here: bityl.co/91mE

Matter resumes #lakhimpurkheri

Sr Adv Harish Salve: please give me 30 seconds, i will log in from another laptop

CJI: we can only see your blue folder

Salve: You had issued notice...

CJI: We did not, we sought a status report..

Salve: the young man who is being targeted..

CJI: the charges are very serious

Salve: we have given him notice. He has to show up at 11 am tomorrow

Salve: if the person does not come rigour of law will take recourse

CJI: Is it the same way we treat other accused too? like sending notices etc..

Salve: i was told that post mortem did not show any bullet wounds that is why 160 crpc notice was sent ..but the manner in which car was driven,, allegations are true. I am saying allegations are true and there is a 302 case

CJI: this is opinion of bench.. this is a responsible state govt and police, when there is as serious allegation of death or gun shot injury.. will the accused in this country be treated the same way?

Salve: I was told post mortem did not show gun shot injury

CJI: So this is a ground for not taking custody of the accused

Salve: they have found two cartridges, may be he had a bad aim and he missed it

CJI: the way its proceeding it seems its not serious

Salve: please take this up on 18th.. action is being taken at the highest level

CJI: Action is only in words here

Justice Hima Kohli: proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Salve: they should have done the needful

CJI: What is the message we are sending?

Salve: UP govt says if nothing happens warrant will be issued

CJI: if 302 case is registered the accused will be apprehended immediately

Justice Kant: Its a brutal murder of 8 person. law must take its course against all accused.

Salve: between today and tomorrow all shortfalls will be used

CJI: We have seen details of the SIT, you have DIG, Supdt of police, circle officers..all these are local people

UP AAG: DIG is from head office

CJI: Is there any request by state to hand this over to CBI?

Salve: entirely in your lordships hand. the state has not made such a request. Please have this on reopening. If you are not satisfied with progress hand it over to CBI

CJI: Mr Salve, we have respect for you. we hope the state will take necessary steps due to the sensitivity of the issue. we are not making comments. CBI is not a solution for reasons known to you.. because of the persons.... better some other person look into

CJI: We can keep this after vacations and let us see how it progresses

Justice Kant: State government has to take steps in this regard

Salve: we have to make a pudding which is palatable.

CJI: we dont know if the good probe is conducted in this case because of the officers involved. Please ask the DGP to ensure that the evidence is protected and not destroy all in interim by the time another agency takes it over

Adv Agnish Aditya: a tweet by @timesnow said CJI met kin of lakhimpur

CJI: this is all tv things

Justice Kant: we are sorry to see how media is exceeding freedom of speech and expression. CJI is gracious enough to let this go else proceedings could take place

Salve: we all have been victim of such tweets. so absurd
.. this deserves to be treated with contempt

CJI: so absurd that i am in court, how can i go to lucknow

Justice Kohli: we respect freedom of media, but this is not the way to cross the limit

CJI: this is part and parcel of public life.. let it be.

CJI ORDERS: Ld Counsel explains various steps taken by state govts. status report was filed and we are not satisfied by steps taken.

CJI: Counsel assures he will satisfy the court and also apprise court of an alternative agency which can conduct the probe. List this matter immediately on reopening. cousnel has assured highest police officer in the state will be informed to preserve the evidence in the case.

Matter over
#LakhimpurKheriMassacre
#supremecourt