New Delhi, Oct. 27 -- The Supreme Court on Monday allowed 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case accused Ashish Mishra to spend Diwali with his family from November 8 to 16, relaxing his bail condition barring him from entering the district except to attend trial. A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, granted the relief after the Uttar Pradesh government said 91 of the 131 witnesses had been examined and assured the court that the trial would be completed expeditiously. "The balance has to be maintained by the prosecution," the bench said, stressing that witnesses must be examined without undue delay or haste. The hearing followed concerns raised by victims over the dropping of key witnesses. The court noted that a new special public prosecutor had been appointed and the trial judge transferred following a vigilance review. The court said, "All sides are directed to extend full cooperation for the conclusion of trial." During Mishra's visit to Lakhimpur, the bench directed that he will not hold any public meeting as per the restrictions issued by the court in its order of March 24, 2025. Later in October 2025, he was again permitted to spend Diwali with his family on the same terms and conditions. Mishra, son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra, is accused of mowing down protesting farmers in October 2021. He was granted bail in January 2023. He was arrested within six days of the incident in October 2021. As per the police charge sheet, the killings were pre-planned as Mishra arrived in an SUV along with a convoy of 3-4 vehicles at the site where the farmers were protesting. Infuriated by this act, protesting farmers pulled out three occupants from the car and lynched them....