The Supreme Court of India has directed the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to conduct an independent and time-bound investigation into 171 alleged fake encounters carried out by the Assam Police between May 2021 and August 2022.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized the need for fairness and impartiality, stating that victims and their families must be given a fair opportunity to present evidence. The court also instructed the AHRC to safeguard the privacy of complainants and ensure confidentiality throughout the inquiry process.
The Assam government had earlier claimed that proper procedures were followed in these encounters, but the Supreme Court found that some cases warranted further scrutiny. The AHRC has been tasked with issuing a public notice, inviting affected individuals to come forward and share their testimonies.
This ruling comes after a petition filed by advocate Arif Md Yeasin Jwadder, who alleged that Assam Police had violated Supreme Court guidelines on encounter investigations. The court’s decision is seen as a major step toward accountability and justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings.
