UP govt issues fresh encounter guidelines: Videography of shootout site a must

Ballistic examination of the weapons used by both sides, and testing handwash samples of the criminals (to ensure they discharged firearms) are mandatory.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh police, which has come under fire for frequent encounters with alleged criminals, leading to the deaths of the latter in many instances, has issued fresh guidelines to enhance transparency and accountability over these.

DGP Prashant Kumar’s guidelines referenced the Supreme Court’s directives issued in connection with the petition filed by People’s Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) in Supreme Court for ensuring certain standards and norms in case of police encounters. (Pic for representation)

The state’s Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar, issued the guidelines that mandate videography of the site of the shoot-out in cases where an accused is killed or injured , ballistic examination of the weapons used by both sides, and testing handwash samples of the alleged criminals (to ensure they discharged firearms).

The guidelines, contained in a 16-point circular issued by Kumar on October 11 came against the backdrop of questions being raised over a shoot-out on September 5, in which a Jaunpur resident Mangesh Yadav, believed to be involved in a robbery in a jewellery store in Sultanpur, was shot dead.

The circular added that forensic experts would investigate the scene of the shoot-out and that the investigation would be conducted not by the local police station involved in the incident but by another police station or the Crime Branch .

It also said that the post-mortem examination will also be video graphed, with a team of at least two doctors present in cases where the alleged criminal was killed.

Kumar has also asked for speedy disposal of such cases pending before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) with all relevant records related to them being submitted on time and an Assistant Superintendent of Police being designated the nodal officer to ensure timely disposal of these cases.

He said SSPs and police commissioners will monitor the progress of nodal officers on a monthly basis.

Kumar’s guidelines referenced the Supreme Court’s directives issued in connection with the petition filed by People’s Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) in Supreme Court for ensuring certain standards and norms in case of police encounters.

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