SC asks Chhattisgarh to file ATR on extra-judicial killings

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Chhattisgarh government to file an Action Taken Report on the findings of the National Human Rights Commission about the extrajudicial killings in the state. Such atrocities were the handiwork of security forces which got blurred with the Salwa Judum movement, the commission had said.

A bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam asked for an ATR on the issue.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on Feb 3. The state government, however , assured the court that appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the report.

Senior counsel KK Venugopal, appearing for Chhattisgarh government, said that FIRs were lodged in those cases which were pointed out by the commission. Further, in some cases probe were initiated before registering the FIR, said Mr Venugopal.

Senior advocate Ashok Desai, appearing for one of the anti-salwa judum movement petitioners , said that steps against the SPOs who are accused by the NHRC report of indulging in extra-judicial killings were required for.

NHRC in its report had said, ���In some cases, however, the security forces and SPOs (Special Police Officers) seem to be prima facie responsible for extra-judicial killings. Such instances need to be enquired into, for those acting on behalf of the state must act within the boundaries of law (however grave the provocation) and be accountable��� .
The enquiry team said that it came across a certain cases/complaints where excesses have been committed by the security officers which may require further impartial investigation.

The Fact Finding Committee of the commission headed by DG (I), Sunil Krishna had said that the Salwa Judum movement and SPOs and securities forces cannot be bracketed.