Lakhimpur Kheri: SC to hear matter today; Rahul, Priyanka meet victims families in violence-hit district

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meet family members of farmer Lovepreet Singh who lost his life during violence in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.

Packed in 1000 vehicles, Uttarakhand Congress workers led by party leader Harish Rawat to go to violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri from Ramnagar tomorrow, he informed on Wednesday.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka reach Palia, meet family members of Luvpreet

Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance of Lakhimpur Kheri violence. A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli will hear the matter on Thursday

After Palia, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will go to Nighasan to meet Aman Kashyap's family members. From there, they will go to Dhaurhara to meet Nachhatar Singh's family members.

Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul are expected to meet the family of 19-year-old farmer Lovepreet Singh, one of the victims of the violence.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the Centre should intervene in the case of violence in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri and ensure that victims get justice.

Maharashtra cabinet passes a resolution to express its condolences over the unfortunate death of farmers in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence incident in Uttar Pradesh. The Cabinet also stood for two minutes and paid tributes to the deceased farmers: CMO

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka on their way to violence-hit district. Priyanka Gandhi has been released from detention

On way to violence-hit Lakhimpur Kheri, Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi reaches Sitapur to join party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who was put under detention in a guest house.

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday evening reached Sitapur and met sister Priyanka who has been under detention since two days.

Tomorrow, Punjab Congress will begin March from Mohali, Punjab at 12 PM to Lakhimpur Kheri, UP against the Brutal Murders of Farmers by BJP. Protest March will be led by Navjot Singh Sidhu. 

Ajay Mishra, MoS Home Affairs, said that investigation is underway in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. "Multiple agencies are working. There is no pressure on anyone.....All angles will be probed," he said.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Wednesday said the party will protest and resort to a ôjail bharo andolanö if their leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was detained on her on way to Lakhimpur Kheri, is not released by the Uttar Pradesh Police. Patole said everyone can go and meet the families of the farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri but not Priyanka or Rahul Gandhi. This, he said, shows that the BJP government at the Centre or in Uttar Pradesh is ôscaredö of the Gandhi siblings.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has the same fire as her late grandmother Indira Gandhi, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday while slamming the BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government for detaining the Congress general secretary while she was on her way to meet the family members of farmers who died in violence in Lakhmipur Kheri district. An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' also asked if there was an India-Pakistan like animosity, after Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Singh Channi were stopped from going to Lakhmipur Kheri, and dubbed it as a strange incident in the federal structure of the country.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders sit on dharna at Lucknow airport. "We want to go in our car (to Lakhimpur Kheri) but they (police) want to take us in their vehicle. I asked them to let me go in my personnel vehicle. They're planning something. I'm sitting here," Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi at Lucknow airport.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, said that all political parties have been permitted to visit Lakhimpur. The administration has only five people to visit Lakhimpur. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached Lucknow. He will visit Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the families of farmers who were killed in violence on Sunday. The UP government has granted permission to Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and three others to visit Lakhimpur Kheri.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to suo motu act on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed. "Supreme Court, There was a time when there was no YouTube, no social media, the Supreme Court acted suo motu on the basis of news in the print media. It heard the voice of the voiceless," Sibal said in a tweet. Today when our citizens are run over and killed, the Supreme Court is requested to act, the senior advocate said, in an obvious reference to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

AAP workers protest outside Raj Bhawan over Lakhimpur Kheri violence, police use water cannons to disperse them.

Priyanka Gandhi is in detention at the PAC compound in Sitapur since Monday morning. She will be released soon. She was on her way to meet the families of farmers killed in Sunday's violence in Lakhimpur Kheri when she was stopped. 

State government has given permission to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and three other people to visit Lakhimpur Kheri: Home Department, UP Government

"Government has taken a decision (by denying permission) as per law and has also requested them (Rahul Gandhi) not to come. In the Lakhimpur case, the law will take its own course and guilty will be caught."

"They got a chance for a photo opportunity and do Twitter politics while sitting at home. Their objective is to take photos and post it on social media. No one will be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere."

"If they (opposition leaders) want to visit Lakhimpur, they can do after some days and meet the victims’ families. We have no objection to it."

“He (Rahul Gandhi) might not remember that it was in the Congress regime during the emergency when the massacre took place. Sikhs were killed in 1984 riots."

"Rahul says he wants to visit Lakhimpur to know the ground reality. If they know nothing, why you and your sister are jumping (kud rahe hai) on the issue. You put a photo of a drone being used in Sitapur. What’s wrong with it. It’s the technology which is being used by the police."

"All the families agreed to its report. On request of one family, which had an objection, a panel of four doctors was sent for re-postmortem. The probe is being conducted in full transparency."

Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, Bhupesh Baghel and Charanjit Channi onboard a flight to Lucknow, UP, to meet families of farmers who lost their lives in Lakhimpur Kheri violence

MoS Ajay Mishra Teni arrives to meet Amit Shah at Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block in Delhi

We're working to keep things under control and we'll soon allow political leaders to visit Lakhimpur Kheri but we're doing what's required at this moment. Yogi govt is committed to arrest the culprits and take strict action against them: UP Minister Siddharth Nath Singh

Let the situation come under control and last rites of the  bodies be performed. When these things will happen, we'll allow political leaders to go to Lakhimpur Kheri. We're trying to do the things as soon as possible: Siddharth Nath Singh

Sachin Pilot's convoy stopped near Indirapuram in Ghaziabad

Rahul Gandhi has reached the Delhi airport, from where he will now depart for Lucknow 

Sanjay Raut has questioned whether Uttar Pradesh is Pakistan as Indians are stopped from entering the state, adding that the administration is imposing Section 144 in the Lakhimpur Kheri but detaining opposition leaders in Lucknow.

"Section 144 of CrPC is imposed in Lakhimpur Kheri and you (the government) are arresting (the opposition leaders) in Lucknow. What kind of law is this? Is UP is in Pakistan where the Indians are stopped from going? There is a restriction of movement from one state to another. Is this a new lockdown?"

He further said, "The administration is like a caged parrot of the ruling party and it follows whatever the instruction is given by the government. There is evidence of a vehicle running over the farmers..."

Raut added, "Priyanka Gandhi has been arrested, Rahul Gandhi is being stopped (from boarding a flight), a state CM is also stopped. What crime they have committed? Is there a new constitution in the country?"

Raut also said that all the opposition parties will discuss whether a delegation should be sent to Lakhimpur Kheri. 

Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference. Here are the pointers

• On one side the government is celebrating 75 years of Independence while on the other, political leaders are being stopped from visiting Lakhimpur Kheri
• Farmers were run over by a car and were killed in Lakhimpur
• I want to understand what is happening in Lakhimpur that politicians are being prevented from visiting the area 
• The government is suppressing the voice of the farmers 

Gurvinder Singh, alias Gyaniji, one of the four farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, was cremated today after a second autopsy was conducted on him as demanded by his family, police said. Family members of the 22-year-old, from Moharia village of Bahraich, had earlier refused to cremate him, claiming that he was shot dead but the post-mortem report had no mention of it. They received support from farmer leader Rakesh Tikait and Punjabi singer Sonia Maan.

With the Uttar Pradesh government agreeing to the demand, a second post-mortem examination was conducted on Tuesday night by a team of experts from Lucknow, SP Sujata Singh said.

"The UP government has not yet given permission for Rahul Gandhi's visit to Lakhimpur and has asked him not to come," Lucknow Police Commissioner DK Thakur said.

"DMs of districts concerned have given us in writing that prohibitory orders are in place there and his visit could create problems. Therefore, he will not be allowed," Thakur said.

It may prove as an evidence in the incident but we can't reach any conclusion by seeing just one video: ADG Lucknow Zone on a video showing farmers being run over by a vehicle

Sambit Patra addresses a press conference. Here are the pointers

• What happened in Lakhimpur is unfortunate
• Rahul Gandhi is giving out irresponsible statements before the media
• Congress party and Rahul Gandhi should make an effort to ensure there is no unrest over what has happened
• Rahul Gandhi and the Congress family have nothing to do with the farmers. They are looking at the Lakhimpur incident as an opportunity
• Gandhi family is trying to find political mileage with the help of the Lakhimpur incident 
• A family that has been involved in looting the country should not speak of theft in the country
• Robert Vadra has been involved in land grabbing cases, most of the members of their family are out on bail

Due to farmers' protests, the traffic movement is slow from point of UP Gate, Ghazipur border at Delhi-UP border, commuters are advised to take alternate routes: Delhi Traffic Police

Amarinder Singh will depart for Delhi today. According to sources, the former Punjab chief minister will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over farm laws and the border situation of Punjab. 

Sachin Pilot has landed in Delhi. He will now be heading to Sitapur/Lakhimpur via the Ghazipur border

Internet services have been suspended in Sitapur

Rahul Gandhi leaves for Delhi airport, enroute Lucknow

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will address a press conference today on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence

"Why is the son of union minister not being arrested even after an FIR has been filed against him?" Nawab Malik demands immediate removal of Ashish Mishra 

Navjot Singh Sidhu today took to Twitter and said, "54 hours passed, Priyanka Gandhi has not been produced before any Court"

Rahul Gandhi addresses press conference after being denied permission to visit Lakhimpur Kheri. Here are the pointers

• The farmers of the country are being attacked by the Central government and no action is being taken against the culprits
• Farmers are being denied their basic rights and this is why the protests have been going on since long
• PM Narendra Modi visited Lucknow yesterday but did not pay a visit to Lakhimpur Kheri
• We will try to visit Lakhimpur Kheri along with two chief ministers today
• The govt does not understand or realise the power of the farmers and they are killing the farmers, which is a very dangerous situation
• Section 144 prohibits the gathering of 4 or more people. In total, we are three people who want to visit Lakhimpur and so we cannot be stopped
• We are being denied permission to visit Lakhimpur, while leaders from other political parties are being allowed. I want to understand the crime I have committed
• We are in the Opposition and hence it is our job to build up pressure as we did in the Hathras rape case - Rahul Gandhi on being asked if the Congress party is politicising the issue
• The BJP/RSS have controlled the institutional structure of the country. There is no democracy, but dictatorship in the country. Political leaders are being denied permission to visit areas they want to
• The voice of the common man is being suppressed and the prices of fuel are being raised
• We are trying to tell the government that it should allow democracy to work in its natural way
• We are not going to allow a criminal, who calls himself the son of a home minister, to run a government
• We as Congresspeople are trained to handle situations involving manhandling. Detaining, arresting me or Priyanka won't stop us from visiting where we want to
• I want to understand the ground reality of the situation and hence want to visit Lucknow
• 'Will there be an action on the culprits?' is a question that is asked in dictatorship, not democracy
• I am not aware of the present situation, but want to go and meet the families of those who have been killed

Congress workers protest outside Sitapur guest house where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained

Govt has denied permission to Rahul Gandhi. If he arrives in Lucknow, we'll request him at the airport not to visit Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. SP and DM of Lakhimpur and Sitapur urged us to stop him from coming in wake of the law and order situation: DK Thakur, Lucknow Police Commissioner

Posters demanding Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to return, put up in Lucknow and sme other cities

Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel arrives at the party office in Delhi

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who has been in detention at Biswan in Sitapur, for almost two days, has been formally arrested. The UP police charged Singh and 15 others under Section 151/107 IPC and arrested them on Tuesday.

Former Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot will reach Sitapur by road via the Ghazipur border today, party sources said. He will land at the Delhi airport and head to Sitapur from there. He also has plans to go to Lakhimpur Kheri.

Only a portion of audio from my address to farmers at an event is being played in the media. Some miscreants were present among farmers behind the incident. At the place where this incident happened some Khalistani elements were present there, Bhindranwale posters were also put up: MoS Teni

Rober Vadra has been stopped from reaching Lucknow. Here's the full statement released by Robert Vadra.

"I have been stopped to get to Lucknow, UP. to check on my wife and make sure she is fine and well. I am shocked beyond belief, how Priyanka has been arrested under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). I spoke with her yesterday and she informed me that she has not been served with any order or notice. She has not been produced before a judicial officer and has not been allowed to meet her legal counsel."

"I am really worried for her and I had packed my bag to go to Lucknow now, when I was informed that I won't be allowed to step out of the airport. This is totally shocking that as a husband I can't even go and support my wife. Thankfully, she has a huge support of the masses. But for me, my family and my wife comes first. I really hope and pray that she is released soon and is back home safe."

The party high command has not summoned me. I will be reaching Delhi by tonight or tomorrow as I have few works lined up: MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni on being asked if he has been summoned by the party leadership following the Lakhimpur Kheri incident

My son wasn't there in the car. After the car was attacked, the driver was injured, car lost its balance and ran over a few people present there. I've expressed sympathies towards those who've lost their lives. There should be an unbiased probe. The entire audio is not being played. I have never said any ill words against the farmers: MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni

Rahul Gandhi, who has been denied permission to visit Lakhimpur Kheri, will address a press conference at 10 am today 

BJP's UP unit spokesperson Anila Singh has said Priyanka Gandhi was adding fuel to fire in an emotionally charged situation by visiting Lakhimpur Kheri district and can go to any extent for "photo optics" to gain some "political brownie points".

"There was an emotionally charged situation in Lakhimpur Kheri. Madam Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can go to any extent for photo optics to gain some political brownie points because they do not work hard on the ground so they keep on finding that if they get any such opportunity then they want to monetise it. Whether we talk about Madam Vadra or other political opposition leaders, they all want to go to that place just to make the situation more worst, Yogi government is not going to allow that," she said.

Family of a person who died in the Lakhimpur incident had raised doubts over post mortem and requested another one. The state government complied and post mortem was done again to ensure it is done impartially and transparently. An expert panel of doctors had come from Lucknow to monitor the post mortem, which was recorded in compliance with the orders from Chief Minister's Office: Dinesh Chandra, Bahraich DM

Charges imposed are bailable, you can't detain. It's a violation of the law. They were just 2 people, had it been over 4, they (police) could stop. Not taking her to the magistrate raises doubts over the system: Congress' Salman Khurshid on Priyanka Gandhi's detention in Sitapur

UP govt denies permission to Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi to visit Lakhimpur Kheri area in the wake of Section 144, which has been imposed following the Sunday incident.

Earlier, Congress General Secy KC Venugopal had sought permission for Rahul Gandhi-led delegation to visit the area.

Telangana: Congress took out a protest march in Hyderabad over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. Party workers demand the removal of Ajay Mishra from the cabinet and the repeal of farm laws.

Lucknow Police impose restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC till November 8 to maintain law and order and to ensure adherence to COVID-19 rules in view of upcoming festivals, various entrance exams and farmers' protests.