No recusal of judges in Manipur fake killing cases

New Delhi, November 12

The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea filed by some Manipur Police personnel seeking recusal of judges of the Bench in Manipur fake encounter cases in which the CBI special investigation team (SIT) is carrying out a probe.

A Bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and UU Lalit said there was no reason for these policemen to doubt the SIT and the probe conducted by it in these cases.

The Bench said the institutional integrity of the judiciary and the CBI must be maintained. The SC order came on a plea by some Manipur Police personnel, who had sought recusal of judges of the Bench claiming it had earlier termed some accused, who were chargesheeted by the SIT in the encounter cases, “murderers”.

The Centre had, on September 28, supported the plea of the Manipur policemen and questioned the SC for its remark, saying it has “completely shaken” the morale of the armed forces and security personnel operating in insurgency-hit areas. The petitioners challenged the government’s contention, saying this was an attempt to “overawe” the court. — PTI