Sambhal Court Directs FIR Against 13 Cops for Fake Encounter; Police Say ‘Will Challenge Order’
A significant legal development has emerged from Sambhal, where a local court has ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against a former station house officer and 12 police personnel for their alleged involvement in a fake encounter. This action stems from claims that they misrepresented a man’s arrest in a robbery case, despite the individual being incarcerated at that time.
Details of the Case
The judgment was delivered by Chandausi Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudhir on December 24, 2022, in response to a petition filed by the accused, Omveer. His counsel, Sukant Kumar, highlighted that the Bahjoi Police fabricated evidence against Omveer by staging an encounter. The allegedly false narrative claimed that Omveer was arrested following a confrontation with police during the investigation of a robbery.
The Allegations
On April 25, 2022, a complaint was registered reporting a theft of ₹1 lakh from an area under the Bahjoi police station’s jurisdiction. The police registered an FIR on the same day. However, a troubling twist emerged during the investigation. On July 7, 2022, authorities purportedly staged an encounter wherein they alleged the recovery of 19 motorcycles as well as the stolen amount. This claim was bolstered by the arrest of Omveer in conjunction with two accomplices, identified as Dhirendra and Avneesh.
Omveer’s Defense
Central to Omveer’s defense is his assertion that he was detained in Budaun jail from April 11, 2022, until his release on May 12 that same year. He argued that this timeline presents a clear impossibility for him to have participated in the robbery on April 25. Despite providing this alibi, Omveer has alleged that he was nonetheless charge-sheeted and incarcerated.
Court’s Directive
In a decisive ruling, the court has mandated that the FIR be registered within three days against the implicated officers. The list includes then Bahjoi Station House Officer Pankaj Lavania; Crime Inspector Rahul Chauhan; Sub-Inspectors Prabodh Kumar, Naresh Kumar, Neeraj Kumar, and Jameel Ahmad; alongside Constables Varun, Ayush, Rajpal, Malti Chauhan, and Deepak Kumar; Head Constable Roop Chandra; and additional personnel, Durvesh.
Relief and Continued Legal Action
The court has granted relief to Gopal Singh, the then circle officer, although the complainant has indicated intentions to pursue further legal actions against him. Omveer expressed to reporters that, despite having approached the superintendent of police and other senior figures about the alleged fake encounter, no substantial action was taken until the court’s involvement afforded him some measure of justice.
Police Response
In the aftermath of the ruling, Bahjoi Circle Officer Pradeep Kumar Singh informed the press, including PTI Bhasha, that local police had not been officially notified of the court order, learning about it only through media reports. Meanwhile, Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar has stated that police will not register an FIR and will contest the court order, signaling a likely escalation of the legal tussle surrounding this controversial case.
Conclusion
The allegations of a staged encounter raise pressing concerns about police accountability and the integrity of law enforcement processes in the region. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case will likely draw increased scrutiny both from legal experts and the public alike, emphasizing the need for transparency in the actions of those sworn to protect and serve.
