Police Encounters Legal in India? Understanding the Law and Controversies

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?