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Supreme Court empowers Assam rights commission to probe alleged fake police encounters

Reinstating the AHRC’s inquiry, the court ordered the commission to protect the identities of victims’ families

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A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh reinstated complaints before the AHRC that had been stalled since January 2022, emphasising that “fair and impartial inquiry” was essential to ensure justice for victims. (HT PHOTO)
A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotishwar Singh directed the panel to reconsider the matter. (ANI)
Impartial probe needed: Supreme Court heat on Assam over 'fake' encounters

Overview

  • The court directed the Assam Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent and expeditious investigation into 171 encounter cases from May 2021 to August 2022
  • It set aside the AHRC’s January 2022 disposal order and mandated a public notice inviting victims and their relatives to come forward
  • Noting the commission is led by a retired high court chief justice, the court authorized it to engage retired police officers of unimpeachable integrity for further inquiries
  • The bench underscored adherence to 2014 PUCL guidelines and warned that proven fake encounters would constitute grave violations of the right to life under Article 21
  • The order required the Assam State Legal Services Authority to extend free legal aid to those affected by the alleged staged encounters