SC calls for probe into alleged 1,528 fake encounters by Army in Manipur

The Supreme Court has called for a probe into the alleged judicial killings by the Army and other security forces in Manipur. The apex court also said that the Army can carry out its own inquiries into the accusations of these killings till the court examines. A plea alleges that the security forces escaped actions as they operated under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

As per law, it is mandatory that the local police take Centre’s permission before initiating prosecution against the erring security personnel. The Supreme Court said the army and paramilitary forces cannot use “excessive and retaliatory force” in Manipur and such instances must be probed.

A bench of Justices M B Lokur and R K Agarwal also asked the amicus curiae to furnish details of alleged fake encounters in Manipur. The court said it will also examine the claim of NHRC that it was a “toothless tiger” and needed more powers.

The apex court was hearing a petition by one Suresh Singh seeking repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in “disturbed areas”.

Earlier, the court had said the fact that compensation has been paid to the next of kin of victims of encounter killings by security forces in Manipur “amply indicate” that such encounters were fake.

It had asked Manipur government to apprise the court of the steps taken after compensations were paid to the kith and kin of the deceased.

The court had then also asked the Centre, Manipur government and NHRC to submit a comprehensive report on alleged fake encounter cases in the state, including 62 such cases where FIRs have not even been lodged.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Extra Judicial Execution Victims’ Families Association, had said “in all these 62 cases, not a single FIR has been lodged against any of the accused.”

The bench had also asked Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, representing the Centre, and lawyers of NHRC and the state government to provide requisite information to the amicus curiae, who will prepare a comprehensive chart of cases for the perusal of court.

The erstwhile UPA government had earlier told the apex court that findings of the Supreme Court-appointed panel’s report on extra-judicial killings in Manipur had been examined at the highest level.

(With PTI inputs)