If the phenomenon of the encounter specialist is to be eliminated, the judicial system needs to be put back on rails. A change is already noticeable in the higher judiciary after the Jessica Lal case. Quicker and firmer decisions have ensured a measure of fear that was absent, particularly among the moneyed classes.

Now, it is the turn of the police to change. The rule of law must be upheld, and no interference with the investigation of crime should be tolerated, however important or influential the culprit. For this, the standard of professionalism needs to be raised. The corrupt and inefficient should not be allowed to rise to the top and in any case they should not be entrusted with cutting-edge jobs involving public interaction.

Station house officers should be held accountable for crime and criminals in their jurisdiction. Under no circumstances should they be allowed to shift the onus of responsibility to specialists, who will not be required if everyone down the line does his or her expected duty.

The writer is a former director general of Punjab Police

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