The Gujarat government Today(18/01/2024) told the Supreme Court that the petitioners who have sought a probe into the alleged fake encounters in the state from 2002 to 2006 need to explain the reasons for their “selective public interest” in raising the issue.
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NEW DELHI: The Gujarat Government Questions Motive Behind Petitions on Alleged Fake Encounters in Supreme Court. The government recently raised questions about the intent behind the petitions seeking investigations into alleged fake encounters in the state from 2002 to 2006. This query was presented to the Supreme Court, where the state government asked the petitioners to justify their “selective public interest” in these cases.
The bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, was hearing two separate pleas filed in 2007. These petitions, initiated by senior journalist BG Verghese (who passed away in 2014) and noted lyricist Javed Akhtar along with Shabnam Hashmi, demanded a thorough probe into the alleged fake encounters.
Representing the Gujarat government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out to the bench that encounters similar to those alleged in Gujarat have also occurred in other states.
This statement seems to suggest a broader context to the issue, implying that the focus on Gujarat might be disproportionate or selective.
“They (petitioners) say we want investigation of a few encounters during a particular period in the state of Gujarat. Why this selective public interest? They have to answer that,” he told the bench.
“The petitioners will have to satisfy the court about their selective public interest,” Mehta asserted.
The Gujarat government’s response in the Supreme Court brings a new dimension to the ongoing debate and legal battle over the alleged fake encounters. It not only challenges the petitions on the basis of their selective nature but also attempts to contextualize the issue within a larger national framework of law enforcement and encounter incidents.
“The matter is required to be heard,” the bench observed, and posted the pleas for hearing after two weeks.
The Gujarat government had earlier voiced reservations about the Locus Standi of the petitioners.
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This development in the Supreme Court is the latest in a series of legal proceedings and discussions surrounding the controversial topic of fake encounters in Gujarat, a matter that has been a point of contention and debate for several years. The court’s decision on these petitions will be a significant moment in this long-standing issue, potentially impacting the discourse on law enforcement practices and human rights in India.
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