Hang the cops behind fake encounters,it is murder: SC

“Such policemen should be hanged. It is nothing but cold-blooded brutal murder,and yes,police personnel responsible should be hanged,” Justice Katju said.

“Police personnel as custodians of law are expected to protect people and not eliminate them as contract killers. Ordinary people are ordinarily punished for the crimes they commit,in the case of a policeman much harsher punishment should be given,” the bench observed.

The observations came while directing the surrender of two senior Rajasthan Police officers (Additional DGP Arvind Jain and SP Arshad) allegedly involved in the “encounter” that killed Dara Singh on October 23,2006. The bench said if the accused police officers fail to surrender,they would be arrested by the CBI.

“The same parameters will apply,” Justice Katju observed when counsel for Singh’s widow Sushila Devi said that one of the accused,Rajender Rathore,a former minister,was also absconding.

In April last year,the apex court had directed a CBI probe following an application moved by Sushila Devi accusing the Rajasthan Police of abducting her husband and killing him in a staged police action.

A proclaimed offender,Dara Singh carried a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head.