'Such encounters becoming routine': HC on man being shot before arrest in UP, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Allahabad High Court noted that encounters where police shoot suspects in the leg have become routine in Uttar Pradesh.
• The court observed that such actions are often taken to please senior officers or punish the accused, even in cases of petty offenses like theft.
• The court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to appear via video conference to address the issue.
• The court is seeking clarification on whether there are any directives to police officers regarding firing upon accused individuals.
• The court is also seeking information on compliance with Supreme Court guidelines related to the investigation of police encounters.

Detailed Insights:

• The High Court emphasized that the power to punish lies solely with the courts, and police encroachment into the judicial domain is unacceptable in a democratic state governed by the rule of law.
• The court referenced the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) guidelines, which mandate the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), recording statements of injured persons, and investigations by senior officers in cases of death or grievous injury during police encounters.
• The bench was hearing bail applications of three individuals, Anas, Deepak Lohapita, and Raju alias Rajkumar, who were shot in the leg and then arrested by police in separate incidents across different districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Such encounters raise concerns about human rights violations, due process, and the potential for abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Police Encounter: An unplanned confrontation between the police and individuals, often resulting in injury or death.
• Rule of Law: The principle that all people are subject to and accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.
• First Information Report (FIR): A written document prepared by police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offense.