Appearing on behalf of him, senior counsel Dushyant Dave also contended that there is a pattern in the encounter killings, with people from the minority community being targeted and branded as member of terrorist outfits.

Attorney General Milon K Banerji, who was present during the proceedings, again submitted that the court has unlimited power under Article 142 to look into such cases and would continue to do so.

Meanwhile, hearing another petition, the Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Ministry of Home Affairs and several states on the steps being taken to check fake encounters.

The notices were issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Reveendran on a petition filed by a Hyderabad-based advocate.