Karnataka High Court Seeks Inquiry Into Encounter Killing Of Accused

The Karnataka High Court has ordered a judicial magisterial inquiry into the police encounter death of a man accused of raping and murdering a minor girl in Hubballi in 2025, responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised serious questions about the handling of the case. The court directed that the inquiry be completed and the report submitted by June 8, 2026.

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha emphasised that the inquiry must adhere to the Supreme Court’s guidelines governing investigations into deaths and grievous injuries during police encounters — norms treated as law under Article 141 of the Constitution. The judges stressed the importance of following the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) protocol for inquiries in custodial deaths and police actions resulting in fatalities.

The case stems from an April 2025 incident in Hubballi, where the accused — a migrant labourer from Bihar — was alleged to have raped and murdered a young girl. Police reported that the suspect was killed during an encounter while allegedly trying to flee custody. However, concerns were raised over the investigation process and the lack of transparency surrounding the encounter, prompting human rights groups to seek judicial oversight.

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Petitioners, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka, argued that an executive magistrate’s inquiry conducted earlier did not conform with Supreme Court directions, and that no police officers had been named in the first information report (FIR) related to the custodial death. The High Court agreed that a magisterial inquiry under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) was necessary to ensure independent scrutiny and evidence preservation.

By mandating a judicial inquiry, the court has signalled heightened judicial scrutiny of police encounters involving deaths, particularly in cases involving alleged extrajudicial actions. Observers note that such orders aim to reinforce accountability, protect due process, and uphold human rights standards when the state’s use of force leads to loss of life.

The order also reflects broader concerns in India about ensuring that encounter killings are thoroughly investigated in line with established legal safeguards, including post‑mortem procedures and transparent documentation, to prevent miscarriages of justice and build public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.

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