Rahul Gandhi Accuses PM Modi's Govt Of 'Tearing Constitution Apart' Over Sultanpur Encounter

Rahul Gandhi criticises the BJP over police encounters in Uttar Pradesh, demanding impartial investigations.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for an impartial investigation into all suspicious encounters in Uttar Pradesh.

He criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the police encounter that killed Mangesh Yadav, a wanted criminal involved in a high-profile robbery in Sultanpur.

Photo Credit: PTI

Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of undermining the rule of law and allowing extrajudicial actions. "In BJP-ruled states, the 'law and constitution' are being flouted by those who have the responsibility to enforce them," he wrote on X.

Concerns Over Police Encounters

Mangesh Yadav was shot dead by police early Thursday. He had multiple charges against him, including a ₹1.5 crore jewellery store robbery in Sultanpur in late August. Yadav carried a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head. The police stated he was killed in retaliatory firing by a Special Task Force (STF) team led by two senior officers.

Gandhi raised concerns about the increasing number of encounters under BJP's rule in Uttar Pradesh. He accused the STF of operating like a "criminal gang" under BJP's watch. "A professional force like the STF is being run like a 'criminal gang' under the BJP government," he said.

Opposition Criticism

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the BJP, alleging manipulation of police and judiciary to target individuals based on caste. He claimed Mangesh Yadav was killed intentionally because of his caste while other accused were treated differently.

"Fake encounters turn the protector into a predator. The solution is not fake encounters, but real law and order," Akhilesh Yadav posted on X.

Call for Justice

Rahul Gandhi demanded justice for Mangesh Yadav's family and questioned who decides life and death—the court or the police? "The tears of Mangesh's family are asking a question to the whole country—who will live and who will not, will this be decided by the court or the police?" he asked.

The Congress leader urged for impartial investigations into all suspicious encounters in Uttar Pradesh to ensure justice is served. "All the suspicious encounters in Uttar Pradesh should be investigated impartially and justice should be done," he stated.

The death of Mangesh Yadav is part of a series of police crackdowns on criminals in Uttar Pradesh, often resulting in deaths. Opposition leaders have repeatedly questioned these actions' legitimacy.

Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of pretending to respect the Constitution while his governments allegedly tear it apart. "Touching the Constitution with the forehead in front of cameras is just pretence when your governments are openly tearing it to pieces," he said.

The ongoing debate over police encounters highlights concerns about law enforcement practices and their impact on justice and human rights in India.