SC Issues Notice to UP Government on Fake Encounter PIL

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea alleging that several fake encounters have taken place in the state in recent past. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on the PIL filed by the NGO, People’s Union for Civil Liberty (PUCL).

The PUCL alleged that as many as 500 encounters had been carried out in the state recently, killing 58 people. The bench did not accept the plea that the NHRC, which had earlier issued a notice to the state government on the issue, be also made a party in the present proceeding, said PTI.

Earlier, SP chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had accused the BJP government of misusing the police. “The BJP is misusing the Uttar Pradesh police, which is inflicting torture on the people of the state and creating fear among them. The Samajwadi Party is not only raising questions, but also telling other Opposition parties that the government is continuously engaged in fake encounters,” he had said.

He demanded that the government should at least provide a list of criminals carrying reward on their head to substantiate its claim that those killed by the police were highly notorious, he said. Yadav demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation to the next of kin of Narendra Gujjar, against whom, he said, a “fake cow slaughter case” was registered, and claimed that Gujjar was tortured to death in custody by the police in Meerut.

Yadav also referred to the death of the father of Unnao rape survivor in police custody. “The BJP says we used to give Rs 50 lakh compensation when a Muslim died. Today, when a Hindu has died, why are you (the BJP) not helping the Hindu. We do not believe in taking advantage by creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims. This is just a diversionary tactic,” the SP leader said.