Justice for Fake Encounter: 5 Ex-Punjab Police Officers Get Severe Life Imprisonment

Justice for Fake Encounter: 5 Ex-Punjab Police Officers Get Life Imprisonment

In a powerful statement against misuse of power, the Ld. Court of Special Judge-II, CBI, Punjab, Mohali has handed down life imprisonment sentences to five retired Punjab Police officers in a decades-old fake encounter case. Along with life terms, each of the accused has been fined Rs. 3.5 lakh marking a significant legal milestone in the long fight for justice.

The convicted officers are Bhupinderjit Singh, DSP (retired as SSP), Devinder Singh, ASI (retired as DSP), Gulbarg Singh, ASI (retired as Inspector), Suba Singh, Inspector (retired as Inspector) and Raghubir Singh, ASI (retired as SI). The court’s decision comes after years of investigation and legal proceedings led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which exposed how a supposed encounter was nothing more than a stage-managed execution.

Justice delayed but delivered

This case, rooted in events that took place years ago, had remained a painful memory for the victims’ families who insisted the encounter was fake. Over time their calls for accountability gathered momentum eventually leading to a CBI probe. After extensive investigation the CBI confirmed the encounter had been fabricated and that the victim was deliberately killed rather than lawfully apprehended.

For the families this verdict, though delayed, is a hard-won moment of justice. Outside the court some family members were seen with tears in their eyes sharing that while nothing could bring back their loved one the ruling finally acknowledges the truth they had always known.

Breaking the shield of impunity

Cases involving police encounters are often difficult to prosecute especially when the accused are officers themselves. Legal experts point out that fear, influence and missing evidence can all play a role in weakening such cases. Yet in this instance the CBI’s investigation provided a detailed account of how the officers abused their positions to carry out the fake encounter and then covered it up.

Observers see the life sentences not just as punishment for the individuals involved but as a broader message that even those once considered untouchable can and will be held accountable. “This verdict reinforces faith in the system” said a human rights lawyer outside the court “It shows no one is above the law.”

Decades of waiting and an emotional closure

The passage of time didn’t weaken the resolve of those seeking justice. For years family members attended court dates, provided testimony and pushed for an impartial investigation despite delays and setbacks. Today’s verdict is a testament to their persistence and courage.

While the judgment cannot erase the loss the families endured it does offer a form of closure. Legal analysts say that in a system where powerful figures often escape justice, this decision stands as an important exception.

CBI’s role and court’s reasoning

The Special Judge relied heavily on the evidence and charges laid out by the CBI which detailed inconsistencies in the official encounter narrative. Witness statements forensic reports and missing records all combined to build a case that the encounter had been stage managed.

The court concluded that the retired officers’ actions were deliberate and unlawful warranting the maximum punishment under the law. The fine of Rs. 3.5 lakh each adds a further measure of accountability though the symbolic weight of a life sentence carries the most impact.

A case that will resonate beyond Punjab

Beyond the immediate context of this case the ruling may influence how future encounter cases are handled. Human rights organizations have long argued that independent investigations are essential whenever police killings occur to prevent abuse and cover-ups.

Today’s verdict gives weight to that argument showing that with enough evidence even high-ranking officers can be convicted. For those fighting similar battles across the country this judgment may bring renewed hope.

Looking ahead

As the convicted officers begin serving their life terms families of victims and activists hope the ruling will spark reforms that make such abuses less likely in the future. While justice came late it did come — and in doing so it reaffirmed a principle that remains at the heart of democracy: that every life matters and power must always be answerable to truth.