The Supreme Court heard the Lakhimpur Kheri farmers' killing case today and, for the third time in recent weeks, expressed dismay at how it was being handled.
The hearing convened two weeks after the previous session, during which the Supreme Court questioned the UP government on why there were "only 23 eyewitnesses" to the violence on October 3 when thousands were supposedly present at the spot at the time.
The Supreme Court, in its October 26 order, directed the UP government to record statements of more witnesses and give them protection.
During today's hearing, the Supreme Court said they were inclined to appoint a retired High Court judge to oversee the day-to-day investigation of the Lakhimpur Kheri case. The UP government has been asked to respond to this suggestion on Friday.
Eight people, including four farmers and a journalist, were killed on October 3 during a farmers' protest in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district. An SUV, allegedly belonging to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra, ran over them.
The Union minister's son Ashish Mishra is accused of driving the car. Multiple videos show the SUV ramming a group of farmers from behind.
13 people, including prime suspect Ashish Mishra, have so far been arrested in the case.
