IS ENCOUNTER KILLING A SOLUTION TO OUR SLOW JUDICIAL SYSTEM?
Aren’t we all tired by our slow judicial system? After all, our judicial system is infamous for the cumbersome procedure and the delayed justice system. In such a situation, if our police forces take law in their hands and kill the accused, then it’s doesn’t seem a big deal for people, instead, it seems a panacea for our slow justice system. But is it something that should make us happy?
ENCOUNTER KILLINGS
In December 2019, the gang-rape of a veterinary doctor shook the consciousness of the entire nation. But what followed after that was more shocking. All the four accused were killed in an encounter.
Last month, the killing of the father-son duo in police custody in Tamil-Nadu sent a shock-wave to the entire nation. In both these cases, the accused were killed in police custody. However, in the first case, the encounter was celebrated whereas the second case caused outrage among people. Perhaps, the reaction was different because of the higher gravity of the crime committed by the accused in the first case.
In the majority of the cases, encounter killings are celebrated in India. Policemen are not only appreciated by the masses but also get promoted for their so-called commendable act. There is not even an iota of doubt that our judicial system is very slow and the victim usually gets tired in the whole process. But instead of trying to reform the system, we are accepting an alternative which is dangerous for any democracy.
Instead, we should ask some of the very relevant questions like – Why is there a shortage of judges in our country. Why the fast-track-courts are inoperative? Why CCTV cameras don’t work on the streets and what are authorities doing to solve these issues. Encounters may seem to be a nice alternative at a first glance but it defeats the whole purpose of having a judicial system.