SC puts Chhattisgarh govt in a fix over CBI probe into six-year-old Edesmetta encounter case

The Edesmetta encounter took place in May 2013 in Edemetta village in the state’s Bastar region, when villagers were celebrating an annual summer festival. It was alleged that a team of the Commando Batatlion for Resolute Action (COBRA) launched an attack in which eight villagers and one COBRA personnel were killed.

Updated on: Jun 22, 2019, 12:18:47 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Six months after the Chhattisgarh government withdrew its consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe any case in the state, a recent Supreme Court order for a CBI probe into a six-year-old encounter in the state has put the government in a fix.

A recent Supreme Court order requires CBI to probe a six-year-old encounter in Chhattisgarh. (Amal KS/HT File PHOTO)

Hindustan Times accessed a letter written by the Chhattisgarh Police to the state’s home department, seeking permission to hand over investigation of the Edesmetta encounter case to the CBI. However, the department is yet to take a decision.

“We wrote (to the state government) on June 5 to give its consent as per the SC order,” confirmed director general of police, DM Awasthi. “The process of transferring the case to the CBI will follow only thereafter.”

The Edesmetta encounter took place in May 2013 in Edemetta village in the state’s Bastar region, when villagers were celebrating an annual summer festival. It was alleged that a team of the Commando Batatlion for Resolute Action (COBRA) launched an attack in which eight villagers and one COBRA personnel were killed. After hearing a writ petition filed by social activist Degree Prasad Chauhan, the SC on May 3, 2019 declared that the Edesmetta encounter should be probed by the CBI.

“The Court is of the opinion that more than five years have passed without effective investigation or enquiry into the deaths of tribals of Chhatisgarh. We are convinced that the matter pertaining to inquiry into incident should be referred to CBI for expeditious investigation. The Director, CBI shall ensure that the investigation is done by an officer /officers who are not from the state of Chhattisgarh,” reads the SC order.

Home secretary of the Chhattisgarh government, CK Khetan, said he will read the SC order and that “the decision will then be taken as per the law.”

Just after the encounter in 2013, the Chhattisgarh government had a parallel investigation team (SIT) to probe the case and also constituted a judicial enquiry under Justice VK Agarwal. The committee was mandated to investigate the case. In February 2019, it was granted a six-month extension.

“The encounter is a sensitive issue and government should be prompt in giving its consent to the CBI to investigate the case,” BJP spokesman for Chhattisgarh, Gauri Shankar Shrivas, said. “The dilly-dallying suggests that the government is not in action and ineffective in taking decisions.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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