BJP gives 'guarded' response to Supreme Court guidelines on fake encounters

Giving a guarded response to the Supreme Court's fresh guidelines fake encounter cases, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nalin Kohli said on Tuesday that while any fake encounter was incorrect, such incidents do take place in the line of duty.

"One will have to wait for the details till it come out and one will have to see what are the details in the judgement. As a preliminary thing it can be said any false encounter is incorrect. However, in the line of duty encounters can take place especially while dealing with the criminals or terrorists activities," Kohli told ANI here. "So, one has to wait. I am sure at an appropriate time after studying the judgement, the appropriate ministry or the concerned persons will definitely speak on it," he added. Issuing a set of guidelines on Tuesday, the Supreme Court stated that in case of a fake encounter, the government should order immediate filing of a First Information Report (FIR) and a magisterial probe into the incident.

The court further said that either the Criminal Investigation Departments or a separate police station must conduct an independent probe in case of fake encounter cases. Along with that the policemen will also record tip-offs given to them about the criminals that result in encounters. While hearing on a 1999 petition filed by one Surat Singh, the apex court said that the policeman involved in the encounter shall surrender the arms, weapons and ammunition after the encounter.