In a significant judgment that underscores the long arm of justice, a former Punjab police officer has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for his role in a 1993 fake encounter case that led to the death of two police constables.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which conducted a detailed probe into the incident on the directions of the Supreme Court in 1995, uncovered that the two individuals branded as unidentified militants and killed in the staged encounter were, in fact, serving police personnel.

The 1993 incident and the cover-up

The case dates back to 1993, during the peak of militancy in Punjab, when a police team led by the now-convicted officer claimed to have neutralised two armed militants in an encounter. The encounter was hailed at the time as a success in combating terrorism, and official reports initially supported the narrative.

However, cracks in the story began to emerge when families of the two victims raised concerns about the sudden disappearance of the constables, who had been posted in the region. Human rights activists and civil society organisations also flagged the encounter as suspicious, citing inconsistencies in the official version and procedural lapses.

It later came to light that the two men killed in the encounter were actually police constables, and not terrorists as claimed. The incident was reportedly fabricated to show results in anti-militancy operations, a practice that had come under widespread criticism during the period.

Supreme Court directs CBI probe

Responding to petitions filed by human rights activists and the families of the deceased, the Supreme Court of India in 1995 ordered a CBI investigation into the encounter.

The CBI, during its years-long investigation, gathered forensic evidence, testimonies from fellow officers, ballistic reports, and post-mortem records that established the encounter was staged.

The investigative report clearly stated that the two constables were picked up, falsely labelled as militants, and executed in cold blood, followed by a manufactured narrative involving planted weapons and fabricated intelligence inputs.

Judgment after three decades

After a prolonged legal process lasting over three decades, the special CBI court, hearing the case, finally delivered its verdict. The former police officer was found guilty of murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and abuse of official power.

He has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The court observed that the crime was of a very serious nature and a betrayal of law enforcement responsibilities, particularly since the victims were members of the police force itself.

The judge noted, “This was not merely a case of custodial death or excess use of force, but a premeditated action involving cold-blooded execution of fellow policemen and its cover-up as a legitimate operation.”

Larger implications for human rights

This case has reignited the debate over fake encounters and extrajudicial killings that plagued parts of Punjab during the 1980s and early 1990s. Numerous human rights watchdogs, both domestic and international, had accused security forces of bypassing legal procedures under the guise of anti-militancy operations.

Reacting to the court verdict, civil rights groups welcomed the sentencing, though many said it was too little, too late.

"Justice delayed is justice denied, but this case shows that the truth can eventually prevail," said Harjit Singh, a lawyer who represented the families of the victims.

Amnesty International India issued a statement saying, "This judgment is a crucial reminder that those in uniform must be held accountable, no matter how many years have passed."

Families demand stronger action

While the sentencing has brought a degree of closure to the victims' families, there remains anger and disappointment over the length of time taken to achieve justice.

One family member remarked, “We waited for over 30 years to see this day. We still feel the punishment does not match the crime. They took innocent lives and tried to erase the truth.”

Another said, “He may spend 10 years in prison, but we’ve spent a lifetime with our grief. This pain is permanent.”

Growing scrutiny on police actions

This verdict is expected to put pressure on ongoing and unresolved cases of similar nature. With increasing calls for transparency and accountability within police and security establishments, this conviction may set a precedent for investigations into other alleged fake encounters across the country.

Legal experts have also noted that the Supreme Court’s intervention in 1995 played a vital role in keeping the case alive, allowing the CBI to conduct an impartial investigation, despite intense pressure and potential threats.

Conclusion

The sentencing of the ex-Punjab police officer after more than three decades may have come late, but it marks an important chapter in India’s judicial pursuit of accountability in fake encounter cases. It underlines the importance of due process, judicial oversight, and the need for robust internal checks within law enforcement agencies.

While the verdict offers some measure of justice to the victims’ families, it also serves as a reminder that the fight for truth and justice is often long and exhausting — but ultimately, not in vain.

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