HC notice to Punjab over ‘extrajudicial killings’

Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday issued a notice to the Punjab govt seeking a reply on a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging a pattern of extrajudicial killings and violent encounters involving accused while in police custody.A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, issued the notice on the PIL filed by Nikhil Saraf. The petition seeks judicial intervention and an independent probe into cases where suspects were reportedly killed or seriously injured during police encounters.
According to the petition, several recent incidents reported in the media suggest that individuals accused of crimes were killed or grievously harmed during police operations or while in custody. The petitioner argued that these incidents raise serious concerns regarding violations of constitutional rights and due process. Citing multiple media reports, the PIL claimed these cases have brought renewed attention to the issue of accountability within the police system. The petition also highlighted public statements made by Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), a former judge of the high court currently associated with the Punjab Human Rights Organisation, who has expressed concern over custodial violence. The petitioner requested the court to order an independent investigation, establish accountability mechanisms, and implement safeguards to ensure accused persons are not subjected to violence. The petitioner further submitted that representations regarding the issue were previously sent to the CM of Punjab, the chief secretary, and the DGP, but no substantial action was taken. BOX ‘Can't close its eyes': HC takes note of Gurdaspur encounter Taking cognisance of the alleged encounter of 19-year-old Ranjeet Singh—a suspect in the murder of two policemen — the Punjab and Haryana high court asked for clarification from the Punjab DGP regarding the circumstances of his death. When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench headed by Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, the bench remarked that it could not "close its eyes" to the questions raised over recent encounters in the state. Defending the state, the counsel informed the bench that a judicial magistrate has already taken cognisance of the matter. Two policemen were found dead with bullet wounds inside a police post in Adhian village, barely 1 km from the Pakistan border, in Gurdaspur district on the night of Feb 21. Ranjeet Singh was arrested on Feb 24. During a midnight operation to recover weapons, Singh allegedly escaped from custody. He was later traced near a police naka on a motorcycle where, according to the state, he opened fire on officers, leading to the fatal encounter. The bench questioned what action had been taken regarding the dereliction of duty by the officials who allowed an arrested person to escape. In response, the state informed the court that a separate FIR was registered regarding the escape. The DGP, appearing via video conferencing for a separate matter, informed the court that a special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to inquire into the Gurdaspur encounter. MSID:: 129097588 413 |