New Delhi:  Uttar Pradesh government has stated before the Supreme Court that it has ‘vehemently opposed the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

In the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, 8 people have been killed including four farmers. The SUV belonging to Ashish Mishra mowed down the protesting farmers on October 3, 2021.

Uttar Pradesh government said while refuting the charges of family members of the victims of letting the VIP off easy and not protecting witnesses.

Three judge bench comprising Chief Justice N.V Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli will hear the petition filed by the relatives of the victims tomorrow, the bench will also hear the plea seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Ashish Mishra by the Allahabad High Court.

In the response to the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, the Uttar Pradesh government has said that the decision to file an appeal against the bail "is pending consideration before relevant authorities".

"Allegations that the UP government did not oppose bail to Ashish Mishra in Allahabad High Court is completely untrue... UP government vehemently opposed the bail application," the UP government stated in the objections.

Denying allegations that a witness was attacked over the Lakhimpur Kheri case, the Uttar Pradesh government has said they were attacked over a personal dispute involving throwing colours on Holi.

It also contested allegations that attackers had issued threats that now that the BJP had won the UP elections, they would "take care" of him.

"Witnesses of the altercation say no such statements were made... Families of all victims and witnesses of Lakhimpur violence are being provided continuous security. The state government has provided armed gunners to witnesses," the government said.

"Regular security appraisals are being done for witnesses. In the most recent interaction, they expressed satisfaction with security arrangements," it said.

On March 16, the Supreme court had issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and Ashish Mishra, asking to file objections to the petitions why his bail should not be cancelled. The court also expressed concern on the issue of a witness being attacked.

In its notice to the state government, the Supreme Court has also asked for a detailed response on steps being taken to protect witnesses and directed it to ensure their safety, NDTV reported.

Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, had told the Supreme Court that a key witness had been brutally attacked after Ashish Mishra got bail and the attackers had issued threats that now that the BJP had won the UP elections, they would "take care" of him.