Overview

• The Supreme Court on August 7 criticized Uttar Pradesh Police for not acting on Baljinder Singh’s June 20 complaint alleging threats and a ₹1 lakh bribe to deter his testimony in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence trial.
• A bench led by Justice Surya Kant called the police’s explanation—that no FIR was filed because the witness wouldn’t come forward—unsatisfactory and underscored the need to investigate prima facie cognizable offences.
• The court directed a senior police officer to visit Baljinder Singh, verify the contents of his written complaint in person, and submit a fresh status report to the apex court.
• Trial progress remains slow with 20 of 208 listed witnesses examined and another 20 dropped, more than three years after the October 2021 violence that killed eight people.
• Ashish Mishra’s bail conditions bar any interference with witnesses and the court warned of possible consequences, including bail cancellation, if the intimidation allegations are substantiated.