Allahabad HC Raps Police Over Frequent Gun Encounters, Grants Bail to Accused

• The Allahabad High Court criticized police for frequent gun encounters, especially targeting the accused's knees, and granted bail to Raju alias Raj Kumar.
• The court suggested that such encounters might be staged for out-of-turn promotions or social media fame, emphasizing that punishment is the judiciary's role, not the police's.
• Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal stated that officers cannot inflict injuries, even on non-vital parts, to punish criminals.
• The court directed that all encounter cases resulting in grievous injury must be investigated by CBCID or an independent police team.
• It also mandated that out-of-turn promotions or gallantry awards for police involved in encounters should only be given after thorough investigation and confirmation of gallantry by a committee.

Why It Matters: Allahabad HC slams police for staged encounters, asserting judiciary's role in punishment and mandating independent probes.