16 police, PAC jawans given life terms for fake encounter

Etawah, Sep 11 (UNI) A local court today convicted 16 police and PAC jawans in a 15-yr-old fake encounter case and handed down life terms to all of them.

According to prosecution, on January 28, 1992, a physically challenged Rajnarayan Pandit was gunned down in a fake encounter near river Chambal in Chakar Nagar area.

However, police had claimed that Pandit was a criminal and he had jumped to death in the river, rather than being gunned down. The deceased's body could not be recovered.

The victim's family filed a complaint against 16 policemen and PAC jawans. Later, a CB-CID probe was ordered into the case.

On September 10, 1993, the CB-CID filed chargesheet against 16 accused, including the then Chakar Nagar station in charge.

On the basis of substantial evidence and testimony, Special Sessions Judge R P Sharma pronounced life terms on the then Chakar Nagar station in charge Girivar Giri, the then sub-inspectors J N Singh, Shaligram Yadav, constables Santosh, Brijesh Kumar, Braj Mohan and PAC jawans Ram Prakash, Brajpal Singh, Surya Dev, Jitendra Prasad Yadav, Ram Khilari, Yatendra Bihari Lal, Jai Prakash, Deewan Singh, Ashok Kumar and Balveer Singh.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 5000 and a separate penalty of Rs 1000 on each accused.

UNI