Telangana Encounter Was Fake: Inquiry Commission
The India Commentary view
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2022-05-23 07:58:29
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The India Commentary view
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It is no
surprise that the Supreme Court-appointed inquiry commission that probed the
encounter killing of four accused in the rape and murder of a girl in Telangana
has found it to be fake. It also held that the police tried to destroy or
withhold evidence and even the state government was trying to hide the truth.
The
incident had resulted in huge public protest and the police had picked up the suspects
after examining CCTV footage from the area. Then they were killed as the police
claimed that they had to retaliate after the suspects snatched their guns and
attacked them.
It was such
a convenient end to a crime for the police (and the politicians) - catch the
suspects and kill them to prevent public glare of going through legal procedure
and then failing to make the charges stick due to lack of evidence, leading to
a public outrage. The instant justice meted out was applauded by politicians and
the public alike. But was it right?
The people
picked up were just suspects. It was not proved that they actually committed
the crime. It is quite possible that they were not the perpetrators and the
real culprits are still roaming free? Further, rule of law demands that the
police investigate a case, collect evidence and prove the crime in court. By
not doing so, the police failed in their duty.
Instant
justice looks good only in movies. In real life, policing is a tough job which
needs to be done by following the rules. If the police or the mob becomes
judge, jury and executioner, what is the need for enacting laws or having
courts? Fake encounters, and even custodial deaths, have become an escape route
for the police to wriggle out of sensitive situations and this cannot be
allowed.
The
commission has recommended that all 10 policemen involved in the encounter
should be booked under murder charges. They have taken the law in their hands
and made a mockery of due process and they should be held accountable. It will
also serve as a reminder to the police all over India that they cannot hide
their inefficiencies by eliminating suspects to close the case.
