The trial in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case will now be heard by a new district judge. Judicial officer Lokesh Rai assumed charge as District and Sessions Judge of Lakhimpur Kheri on October 14, replacing Shiv Kumar Singh, who had been hearing the case, Live Law reported.

Source: Live Law

The change follows the Supreme Court's direction to the Allahabad High Court to examine concerns raised by the victims' families about the trial judge's conduct and to take appropriate remedial measures, India Legal Live reported.

Source: India Legal Live

On September 22, a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the court registry to forward an application raising the concerns to the Allahabad High Court and sought a report in a sealed cover. On October 5, the court directed that a vigilance report on the trial judge be placed before the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court for an appropriate decision.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the victims' families, had alleged — as allegations, which the Supreme Court did not itself determine — that a non-bailable warrant was issued against a witness who was unwell and that a site plan relevant to the case had gone missing from the court record.

In another change, the Uttar Pradesh government has appointed advocate Kapil Katiyar as Special Public Prosecutor, replacing Prabhakar Brahm Mishra. The state told the Supreme Court that Katiyar has about 16 years of professional experience in criminal law.

Eight people, including four farmers and a journalist, were killed in the violence at Tikunia in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021, during protests against the now-repealed farm laws. Ashish Mishra, son of former Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, is the prime accused in the case. The trial continues before the new judge.