Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Ashish Mishra arrested five days after being named in FIR

Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, accused of running over farmer protestors in Lakhimpur Kheri last Sunday, was arrested on Saturday. Ashish was interrogated for over twelve hours, during which time he gave 'evasive answers' and did not cooperate, the police said, as reported by NDTV. He shall be in judicial custody until Monday, when he shall be presented before a local court. The court will then decide whether he shall be sent to police custody.

Ashish was unable to explain his whereabouts during the time of the violence last Sunday. Though he claimed to be at a wrestling event, witnesses claim he was missing between 2 and 4 in the noon. Furthermore, his phone location shows him closer to the crime scene, and his description of the driver of the SUV, which ran over the farmers, did not match, reports NDTV.

Ashish arrived for questioning three hours late on Friday night. Interestingly, he was issued a notice under sections concerning the attendance of witnesses and not accused, reports NDTV. The arrest came a day after the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for inaction after failing to arrest Ashish.

Three SUVs ran into protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri last Sunday, killing eight, including four farmers. Eyewitnesses have alleged that the SUV belongs to Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra. Ashish, however, claims that though the vehicle belongs to him, he was not in it. Two other accused in the case, Luv Kush and Asish Pandey, were arrested on Thursday.