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The political landscape of India is once again marked by controversy surrounding a police encounter. The death of Mangesh Yadav in a supposed encounter connected to a jewellery store heist in Sultanpur has sparked accusations of a staged event, with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav demanding a thorough investigation by the courts.
Yadav, in a public statement accompanied by a video of a grieving young girl from Mangesh's family, called upon the courts and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene and take immediate action. The video shows the girl, likely Mangesh's sister, tearfully recounting her brother's absence from the family home on the day of the robbery. She stated that Mangesh had dropped her off at school, and that the police later arrived and took him away for questioning, only to inform the family of his death in the encounter.
The family's account, corroborated by the owner of the jewellery store who confirmed the lack of recovery of most of the stolen items, raises significant questions about the police's narrative. The SP leader further pointed out that the main conspirator in the heist surrendered to the court on September 4, while Mangesh was killed the following day, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the encounter. These developments have led to accusations of police brutality and a blatant disregard for due process, particularly amidst claims by Akhilesh Yadav that the BJP government's police are resorting to encounters based on caste.
The tragic death of Mangesh Yadav raises serious concerns about the accountability of law enforcement in India. While police encounters can be a necessary measure in certain circumstances, the lack of transparency, the conflicting accounts provided by witnesses, and the family's denial of Mangesh's involvement in the robbery create a compelling case for an impartial investigation. The courts must delve into the circumstances surrounding Mangesh's death to ensure justice is served and that such incidents are not used as a means of bypassing due process.
Source: Encounter In Sultanpur: Courts should look into encounter in Sultanpur: Akhilesh