CBI probe ordered into encounter of 12 alleged Maoists in 2015
The case was being probed by the state Criminal Investigation Department, which gave a clean chit to the police officials involved just before the High Court was to hear the case on Monday.
The Jharkhand High Court on Monday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged fake encounter in 2015, which involved the killing of 12 people after branding them as Maoists by security forces, in Palamu. The probe was ordered by Justice RA Mukhkhopadhaya, on a petition which sought an inquiry by the CBI into the incident.
The court observed that the investigation was not going in the right direction, petitioner lawyer Jawahar Yadav said.
Citing the court order, Yadav said people’s faith in the judicial system has been dented due to the police and CID investigation. To restore the faith of the people in the judicial system, a CBI probe is ordered, he said.
The case was being probed by the state Criminal Investigation Department, which gave a clean chit to the police officials involved just before the High Court was to hear the case on Monday.
On June 8, 2015, police had claimed that 12 Maoists were killed in a gun battle at Bakoria in Palamu district of the state.
The encounter was termed fake by the family members of the victims. They alleged that innocent people were branded as Maoists.
Jawahar Yadav had filed a case in the Jharkhand High Court seeking a CBI probe into the matter.