India woke up to shocking news of four accused, in rape and murder, being shot dead by police on Friday morning. Reactions started pouring in since morning, both on social media and on the spot.
As the day progressed, people started gathering on the spot to celebrate the instant justice done by police without realizing that it was extrajudicial killing. People hailed the police and showered them with flower petals making them into heroes who delivered justice in the gruesome rape and murder case of a young veterinarian in the south Indian city of Hyderabad.
The family of the victim was happy with the speedy action of the police. The victim's sister spoke to the local press and said, "the accused have been encountered, and I am feeling very happy for it, and I think this will be an example, and nobody will even think of doing it."
"And I think it's in record time, they have done this. Although the family was sad that they will never be able to see their daughter again, but this police action gave them some sense of justice," he added.
Forensic officials examine the bodies at the site where police shot dead four men suspected of raping and killing a 27-year-old veterinarian, Telangana, India, December 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
The father of the victim said, "I would like to thank and congratulate the Telangana government, police, and all those who supported me. It is now that my daughter's soul must have gotten peace."
Social media was nonetheless rife with criticism of the police action. Many objected to the extrajudicial killings. According to them, this incident will set a wrong precedent in the country, where rape incidents are a common affair.
Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, expressed concern, "whereas, as a common citizen, I am feeling happy that this was the end we all wanted for them (accused), but this end was supposed to be through the legal system and it should have."
Many people have demanded that a case be registered against the police, and proper investigation should be carried in the matter. The human rights commission has ordered a probe against them, and a team has been sent to Hyderabad for an on-the-spot investigation.
People shout slogans as they gather at the site where police shot dead the four suspects, Telangana, India, December 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
The police also spoke to the media, informing them that the accused attacked them with stone and snatched their weapons.
V.C. Sajjanar, the police commissioner, explained, "basing on their (suspects) confession, we came here to this place (to) recover the victim's cell phone and other objects. So, as the (police) party approached this area today, (during the) early hours, all the four accused got together, they started attacking the police party with stones, sticks, and other materials and also they snatched away weapons from our two officers and started firing."
"So, even though our officers maintained restraint and asked them to surrender but without listening to us, they continued to fire and continued to attack us. So, again, our people started in retaliation, and in that retaliation, the four accused got killed," he added.
He said that the "law has done its duty."
The families of the accused were shocked to hear the news. They have questioned the police action of killing them in an "encounter" without any trial.