The Supreme Court adjourned to July 14, two petitions seeking constitution of a commission chaired by a retired Apex Court judge to inquire into custodial deaths and extra-judicial killings, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Bench of Justice S.R. Bhat and Justice Aravind Kumar today passed the order on two separate pleas, one of which was filed by the sister of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, seeking probe into the killing of her brothers in police custody.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, apprised the Apex Court that Uttar Pradesh has filed a status report in terms of the order passed by the top court of the country on April 28, while hearing the petition filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, seeking an independent probe into the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother.
The plea filed by Tiwari had sought investigation into 183 police encounters, which had taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.
On April 15, three men posing as journalists shot dead both Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf at point-blank range, while they were interacting with the media outside a medical college in Prayagraj in police custody.
The Bench observed that it was not looking into individual issues at the moment, but at the systemic problem.
Tiwari apprised the Bench that he had prepared a brief rejoinder to the status report filed by the state, claiming that there was ‘suppression’ of material fact in the status report submitted by the state government.
On Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh government apprised the Supreme Court that it was leaving no stone unturned in the investigation into the deaths of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ahhraf.
The status report on the petition raising concern over “encounter killings” in Uttar Pradesh was filed in the Court.
The plea was filed due to the killing of Atiq Ahmed, at point-blank range, this year before the camera and while in the police custody.
On June 30, a status report was filed by the State government stressing that it has been looking into the security lapses that led to the murder.
It also informed that a chargesheet has been filed in the case registered for criminal breach of trust against an arms clerk at Kotwali Police Station in connection with the killing.
The affidavit further detailed police reforms and modernisation measures underway across Uttar Pradesh, including the issue of handcuffing instructions so that accused persons do not escape easily.
The State government has also deputed a Special Task Force to take action against crimes by organised criminals, the affidavit added.
An Anti-Land Mafia Task Force has been formed in all districts and is being monitored through a portal, the State government submitted. Effective action is also being taken against 66 mafia criminals in the State by identifying them at the Uttar Pradesh government and police headquarters level, the affidavit stated.