Woman awaits justice 27 years after husband killed in ‘fake encounter’
According to Kamla, her husband was a petty offender involved in the violation of the arms act and excise act and that did not entitle the police to kill him. She also said when the alleged encounter took place, several newspapers had raised doubts about it but no official paid any heed.
Kamla Devi has been seeking justice for the past 27 years.
She was about 33 years old when, according to her, Kamta Pasi, her husband, was allegedly picked up from their house on May 30, 1989, by Lakhimpur Police.
The following day, her husband was said to have been killed in an encounter with Isanagar police. Kamla alleged that even the last rites of her husband were performed in police custody.
She ran from pillar to post, demanding action for the alleged fake encounter but her appeals went unheard.
According to Kamla, her husband was a petty offender involved in the violation of the arms act and excise act and that did not entitle the police to kill him. She also said when the alleged encounter took place, several newspapers had raised doubts about it but no official paid any heed.
As a last resort, she filed a complaint with the chief judicial magistrate’s court on September 12, 1991. The court took cognizance of her complaint and summoned five police personnel who failed to appear before the court. The court issued non-bailable warrants against them in 2003 but to no avail.
Kheri Police continued to fail to produce them in court. On March 4 last year, the court instructed the Kheri superintendent of police to form a committee headed by a circle officer and ensure observance of court orders by March 31.
On March 31, police urged the court to grant them more time to implement its orders following which the court fixed April 22 for the next hearing.
Kamla, who has two sons and a daughter, said she had to sell her agricultural land to fund her fight for justice. She said all she wants is that the guilty are brought to book.