The Sultanpur encounter controversy has taken a significant turn as the family of Mangesh Yadav, an accused in a robbery case, moves to the court, accusing the police of a fake encounter. Mangesh’s mother, Sheela Devi, on Wednesday, filed a plea in a Jaunpur court, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against senior police officials, including the Sultanpur Superintendent of Police (SP) and personnel from the Special Task Force (STF). The case has now sparked a political debate, with allegations of a cover-up and growing demands for a transparent investigation.
The Encounter and Allegations
The encounter, which occurred on September 5, has been surrounded by controversy since the day it took place. Mangesh Yadav, who was implicated in a Rs 1.5 crore loot at a jeweller’s shop in Sultanpur, was killed by police during what they claim was an attempt to arrest him. However, his family alleges that Mangesh was taken from his home by the police on the night of September 2, and he was later killed in a staged encounter.
In her plea filed in the court, Sheela Devi accuses the police of conspiring to murder her son. She stated that on the night of September 2, around four or five policemen arrived at her house, woke up Mangesh, and took him away for “questioning.” The family was allegedly told that he would be released after the interrogation. But things took a darker turn when the police returned on the intervening night of September 3 and 4, filmed a video at the house, and falsely claimed that Mangesh had not been at home for the last two to three months.
Mother’s Legal Battle
On September 5, the police came back to Sheela Devi’s house and informed her that Mangesh had been killed in an encounter. She was asked to collect his body from the postmortem house. In her petition to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Jaunpur, Sheela Devi alleges that the police, including the SP and STF in-charge DK Shahi, deliberately murdered her son in a fake encounter to “show good work.”
She further claimed that the postmortem report has not been provided to the family, even after they deposited the required fee, adding to the family’s suspicion about the integrity of the investigation. In light of these allegations, Sheela Devi’s lawyers, Samar Bahadur Yadav and Rishi Chandra Yadav, urged the court to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that the police officials involved are held accountable.
Court’s Response and Inquiry
The court has taken the matter seriously and has asked the Buksa police station in-charge to submit a report regarding the case by October 11. A magisterial inquiry into the encounter is already underway, but the family is raising concerns over the impartiality of the investigation. Sheela Devi’s plea states that she does not expect a fair inquiry, given that the officials responsible for the encounter have neither been removed from their posts nor suspended.
The plea argues that the police personnel involved may influence the evidence and witnesses, which is why an independent investigation is necessary. The family is demanding that a case be registered against the SP and other police personnel involved in the encounter to ensure justice is served.
Political Uproar and Debate
The Sultanpur encounter has not only raised legal and ethical concerns but has also become a political flashpoint. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has openly criticized the incident, alleging that it was a “fake encounter” aimed at targeting individuals based on their background. The SP has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of encouraging police excesses in the name of law and order.
On the other hand, the BJP has hit back, accusing the opposition party of shielding criminals and undermining the police force’s efforts to crack down on organized crime. BJP leaders argue that the encounter was part of the government’s tough stance on crime and that political parties should not interfere in law enforcement matters.
Growing Calls for Transparency
As the Sultanpur encounter controversy unfolds, the calls for a transparent and unbiased investigation grow louder. Human rights activists and legal experts have raised concerns about the increasing number of police encounters in India, with some calling for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent the misuse of power.
The next few weeks will be crucial, as the court awaits the report from the Buksa police and considers the family’s plea. With political tensions running high and public attention focused on the case, the Sultanpur encounter controversy is set to remain in the headlines, raising questions about the fine line between justice and extrajudicial killings.
As the investigation proceeds, the nation watches closely, hoping for a fair resolution in the pursuit of justice for Mangesh Yadav.
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