Sack Ajay Mishra, ensure judicial probe into Lakhimpur Kheri killings: Congress to President

A delegation of Congress leaders on Wednesday met the President and sought a commission of judicial inquiry by two sitting judges of the Supreme Court or the High Court into the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which four farmers were killed. The delegation also urged the President to ensure the dismissal of Union minister of state for home Ajay Mishra, saying his continuation as a minister would compromise the investigation. The delegation also accused the Modi government of trying to "tire & retire" the agitating farmers rather than addressing their concerns.

Condemning the Lakhimpur incident and targeting Mishra, the memorandum submitted to the President by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra, AK Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge stated: "This deliberate act of murder, in broad daylight followed by the audacious reactions of the state and central governments, has completely eroded people's faith in those tasked with bringing these perpetrators to justice... Despite this context of criminality and abuse of power, Ajay Mishra Teni continues in office as the Union MoS for home affairs."

"Furthermore, which police official would dare to fairly investigate the son of a Union MoS for home, with the father occupying a position of such high influence and who enjoys continued endorsements from both the central and state governments," it added.