NHRC recommends CBI inquiry into Chittoor encounter case

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday recommended CBI probe into the Chittoor encounter case. 

NHRC also asked that 8 lakh interim relief as compensation should be given to family members of the ones killed in the encounter.

Justice D Murugesan of NHRC said, "We have sent two teams to Andhra Pradesh to record statements, reports have been called from AP government. Yesterday, we recommended CBI inquiry to Centre and Andhra Pradesh Government. We have also ordered AP Govt to give Rs 8 lakh to family of deceased. AP Govt is still to send the reports. We also asked extension for protection of witnesses."

In April 2015, at least 20 red-sandalwood smugglers were killed in an encounter with police in Seshachalam forest near Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

Some police and forest personnel were also injured in the face-off, police said.

The incident occurred at two places in Seshachalam forest area of Chandragiri mandal in Chittoor.

Andhra Pradesh's Communication Advisor Parakala Prabhakar had even later suggested that the next of kin of those killed in this encounter would not get any compensation.