Petitions against police action filed in top court, seek independent probe

NEW DELHI: Two petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR and compensation to the families of the four accused killed in an ‘encounter’ in the case of the rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad.

Petitioner GS Mani sought directions for the registration of an FIR. The petition urged the apex court that an independent investigation agency must be directed in accordance with the guidelines laid down in connection with investigation (the PUCL vs State of Maharashtra) in ‘fake encounter killing’.

The petition alleged that it was a stage-managed encounter to cover up the alleged lapses of the police, which led to the commission of the gruesome crime.

In another petition, advocate Manohar Lal Sharma said that the killing of four arrested persons in police custody was allegedly done due to the demands of political leaders, and the media raising a hue and cry seeking the immediate execution of the accused without a trial “which is a serious violation of Article 21 as well as murder of innocent citizens of India”.

“It’s a serious injury to the constitutional systems and endanger further life & liberty to the citizen of India,” said Sharma in the petition.

Seeking compensation for the families of the accused, Sharma has asked the SC to direct that compensation of ~20 lakhs be given to the family members of each accused killed in police custody in the interest of justice.

THE PETITIONER HAS ASKED THE SC TO DIRECT COMPENSATION OF ~20 LAKHS BE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY OF THE ACCUSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE