Bombay High Court on Monday has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate the alleged involvement of senior police officers in the controversial 2018 fake encounter case of Jogendra Rana from Nalasopara.
The Bombay High Court on Monday has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate the alleged involvement of senior police officers in the controversial 2018 fake encounter case of Jogendra Rana from Nalasopara. Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Manjusha Deshpande instructed the SIT to delve into whether higher-ranking officials were complicit in the incident.
The Special Investigation Team, formed last year following a petition filed by Jogendra’s brother Surendra, has already made strides in the investigation. Recently, head constable Manoj Sakpal and assistant sub-inspector Mangesh Chavan were apprehended on March 2 and subsequently remanded to police custody until March 11. These arrests came after the High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the Special Investigation Team probe on March 1, hinting at a possible transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Surendra, seeking justice for his brother, had petitioned the High Court for either a CBI investigation or an Special Investigation Team under judicial supervision. He alleged that the encounter, which occurred on June 23, 2018, was orchestrated by Sakpal and Chavan, who allegedly demanded money from Jogendra at a snack center in Nalasopara. When Jogendra resisted, they purportedly chased and shot at him.
However, the prosecution’s narrative presents a different account, asserting that Jogendra resisted arrest and attempted to assault the policemen with a knife, compelling them to fire in self-defense.
The involvement of senior officers came under scrutiny during the proceedings, particularly as Sakpal reportedly informed in a magisterial inquiry that he had contacted his superiors immediately after the encounter. This revelation has prompted calls for a deeper investigation into the potential role of higher-ranking officials.
The High Court, cognizant of these developments, emphasized that the SIT must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, ensuring that all angles are meticulously examined. The court scheduled a progress review for April 15 to monitor the case’s advancement.
Notably, with the transfer of then Thane police commissioner Jaijeet Singh, the SIT will now be led by Thane police chief Ashutosh Dumbre, ensuring continuity in the investigative process.
This directive from the Bombay High Court underscores the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies, particularly concerning incidents as grave as alleged fake encounters. As the investigation progresses, stakeholders await further developments to ensure justice prevails in the case of Jogendra Rana’s untimely demise.
Also Read- Delhi High Court Deliberates On Bail For 2020 Delhi Riot Accused (lawchakra.in)
