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AP HC raps cops for encounter deaths

Justice G Raghuram of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, in an extraordinary order, directed the state police to preserve the bodies of two People's War Group Naxalites -- Santosh Reddy and Arun -- who were killed in an encounter yesterday.

The judge further directed the authorities to furnish the post mortem reports to Anasuya, mother of Santosh Reddy, the petitioner and her counsel K Balagopal.

Anasuya, in her writ petition complained that her son and three other PWG leaders were killed in a fake encounter in the reserve forests of Thadicherla village in Malhar mandal yesterday.

She claimed that her son and others were in fact caught by the police and "annihilated", who then branded it as an encounter.

She pleaded with the court not to allow the police to manipulate the post mortem report, which would "reveal the torture" of the deceased in police custody.

The petitioner stated that the National Human Rights Commission had issued a circular stating that all encounter deaths should be registered as cognisable offences and investigation conducted.

In the present case, the state Director General of Police H J Dora and the Superintendent of Police, Karimnagar had already branded the controversial incident as an encounter between the police and Naxalites. She also alleged that the police were trying to cook up evidence in their favour.

The additional advocate general informed the court that the bodies of Sheelam Naresh and Adi Reddy were handed over to their relatives.

He rejected the charge of manipulation of post mortem reports. Further hearing of the case was posted to next week.

UNI

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