Supreme Court issues notice to Yogi government on recent encounter killings

Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into recent encounter killings in the state. "It’s a very serious matter which requires a detailed hearing," Chief Justice of India (CJI) said while hearing the petition, which has been filed by NGO 'People's Union for Civil Liberties'. The top court has now set the date of February 12 for a detailed hearing.

"Supreme Court issues notice Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into recent encounter killings in the state. CJI Ranjan Gogoi says it’s a very serious matter which requires a detailed hearing. Matter posted for further hearing on Feb 12," ANI reported.

Supreme Court issues notice Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into recent encounter killings in the state.
CJI Ranjan Gogoi says it’s a very serious matter which requires detailed hearing. Matter posted for further hearing on Feb 12.

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019

The Uttar Pradesh government had defended the move saying that the encounters took place in accordance with the norms. According to a report in The Indian Express, there have been 2,351 shootouts and 63 encounter deaths, spread across 24 districts, from March 2017 to August 2018.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had last year alleged that the police officers in Uttar Pradesh were following the encounter policy of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to avoid getting transferred.

"UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is advocating his Thoko Neeti (encounter policy) everywhere. Due to this, there is a trend among the police officials that they undertake encounters when they anticipate that they can be transferred. Their acts are emulated by their subordinates," Yadav had said.