Allahabad HC questions UP Police over ‘half encounters’, seeks explanation from DGP, Home Secretary
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh Police over the alleged practice of shooting accused persons in the legs and projecting such incidents as armed encounters, observing that the trend, commonly referred to as “half encounters”, has no sanction under the law.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Kumar Deshwal directed Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajiv Krishna and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad to appear via video conferencing and clarify whether any oral or written instructions had been issued to police personnel to carry out such actions and portray them as encounters.
According to a Bar & Bench report, the court remarked that incidents of accused persons being shot in the legs appear to have become routine in the state. Justice Deshwal noted that such acts seem aimed at earning publicity, pleasing senior officers, or delivering what the police perceive as instant punishment. He underlined that such conduct is wholly impermissible, as the authority to punish rests exclusively with the judiciary.
The court said India is governed by the Constitution, which clearly demarcates the roles of the executive, legislature and judiciary, and that the police cannot assume the role of courts. “The power to punish lies with the judiciary, not with the police,” the court reiterated.
The observations were made while hearing bail applications of three accused who had sustained injuries in separate alleged encounters with the police. The court took note of the fact that no police personnel were injured in these incidents, which raised doubts about the necessity and proportionality of the use of firearms.
In one case, the High Court pointed out that although an FIR had been registered, the injured accused’s statement was not recorded before a magistrate or medical officer, which violates the Supreme Court guidelines. The investigation was initially conducted by a sub-inspector and later transferred to an inspector, which the court said amounted to non-compliance with the directions laid down by the Supreme Court in the PUCL versus State of Maharashtra case.
Taking a stringent view, the court laid down six mandatory guidelines to be followed in cases where an accused suffers grievous injuries during a police encounter. It warned that district-level police heads, including superintendents of police, senior superintendents and commissioners, would face personal contempt proceedings if these directions are violated in their jurisdictions, as reported by the Bar & Bench.
The court also expressed concern over reports of police officers exerting pressure on judicial officers, including chief judicial magistrates, to secure favourable orders. Cautioning against the erosion of institutional boundaries, Justice Deshwal said Uttar Pradesh cannot be allowed to function as a police state and stressed the importance of mutual respect between the police and the judiciary.
In response, DGP Rajiv Krishna assured the court that clear instructions would be issued to ensure strict compliance with the law and Supreme Court guidelines. “The majesty of law is supreme,” he told the court.
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Indian Coast Guard to observe 50th Raising Day on Feb 1
New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG),established in 1977 with just seven surface platforms, has evolved into a "formidable maritime force" comprising 155 ships and 80 aircrafts, officials said on Saturday.
The ICG will observe its 50th Raising Day with an event here on Sunday, marking five decades of dedicated, selfless service to the nation, they said.
Raised on February 1, 1977, the ICG was envisioned to address emerging maritime challenges and safeguard India's expanding marine interests.
"From its humble beginnings in 1977 with just seven surface platforms, the ICG has evolved into a formidable maritime force comprising 155 ships and 80 aircrafts today," the ICG said.
By 2030, the ICG is "poised to achieve its target force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircrafts, firmly establishing itself among the world's premier coast guard services," it said.
Since its inception, the organisation has "rescued over 11,800 lives", forging a legacy defined by compassion and courage, earning recognition as the enduring 'Saviours at Sea', a senior ICG official said.
Headquartered in Delhi, the force maintains vigil over 20.1 lakh sq km of India's Exclusive Economic Zone and 11,098.01 km of coastline, the ICG said in a statement.
From modest origins, it has grown into a powerful, versatile, and highly respected force entrusted with maritime law enforcement, coastal security, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and humanitarian aid, officials said.
From close coordination with the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor to daring rescue operations in Lakshadweep and the firm handling of three major maritime incidents off the Kerala coast in recent months, the ICG has demonstrated preparedness across the full spectrum of maritime contingencies, they said.
With extensive deployment of ships and aircrafts, coupled with high-tech electronic surveillance, the Coast Guard's persistent presence at sea reassures the maritime community and deters transgressions, they added.
Aligned with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India', the ICG is steadily moving towards self-reliance through induction of indigenously-built ships, aircrafts, helicopters, and advanced surveillance systems, while simultaneously prioritising infrastructure development and personnel welfare, the statement said.
The ICG said it also "remains firmly committed to gender neutrality and inclusivity, ensuring equal opportunities for women across seagoing, aviation, and shore-based roles, and fostering a professional environment defined by respect, merit, and mutual trust".
Guided by the prime minister's vision of 'Amrit Kaal' and anchored in the doctrines of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), the ICG forms a key pillar of India's maritime resurgence, promoting security, growth, cooperation, and collective prosperity across the oceans, it said.
In this evolving era, India's seas are not merely frontiers to be guarded, but "pathways of partnership, progress, and shared destiny", the ICG added.
On the global stage, the ICG strengthens maritime partnerships through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and capacity-building initiatives, the force said, adding that the unanimous decision to hand over presidency of 50th Coast Guard Global Summit to ICG in 2025 stands as a recognition of India's growing maritime leadership.
Ahead of the 50th Raising Day, the President of India, the vice-president, prime minister, and the defence minister, have extended regards to all ranks of the ICG, commending its remarkable achievements and acknowledging its vital role in safeguarding India's maritime interests, it said.
