Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has voiced concern over a rise in extra-judicial killings and custodial violence, questioning why accused persons are taken out at 3 am for crime-scene reconstruction and whether ‘shortcut methods’ are used to cover gaps in investigation. Speaking at a New Delhi event, he said the constitutional system does not approve of such situations, and expressed unease at young IPS officers personally assaulting demonstrators.
The Allahabad High Court raised concerns over policing and governance in Uttar Pradesh, observing that sections of the police machinery appear more loyal to the ruling establishment than the Constitution. The Court highlighted issues relating to the Gangsters Act, administrative accountability, encounter killings, selective crackdowns, and alleged misuse of police powers.
Encounters in India have sparked nationwide debates, raising concerns over justice and law enforcement. Many encounter cases highlight the controversy: “whether a democratic country should follow the constitutional norms and adhere to the due process of law or shall it adopt the measures of retributive justice.” This critical issue questions the balance between public safety and constitutional values. This also raises a question before us that are encounters legal in India and what are the safeguards attached to them?
