‘Justice Must Never Take The Form Of Revenge’: CJI Bobde On Hyderabad Encounter Killings

A day after the encounter of all four accused in the Hyderabad vet gang rape and murder case, Chief Justice of India(CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde, on Saturday, December 7, said that “justice must never take the form of revenge.”

“Recent events in the country has sparked off the old debate with new vigour. There is no doubt that the criminal justice system must reconsider its position and attitude towards time, laxity, and the eventual time it takes to dispose of the criminal matter,” Bobde was quoted in The Indian Express.

The CJI was speaking at the inaugural function of the new High Court building in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

“But, I don’t think justice can ever be or ought to be instant. And justice must never ever take the form of revenge. I believe justice loses its character of justice if it becomes revenge,” Bobde added.

#WATCH: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde: I don't think justice can ever be or ought to be instant. And justice must never ever take the form of revenge. I believe justice loses its character of justice if it becomes a revenge. pic.twitter.com/oKIHKecHqt

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2019

In the wee hours of Friday, 6 December, all four accused in the gang rape and murder of Hyderabad veterinarian were killed in an encounter. According to officials, the accused were taken to the crime scene to recreate the incident, when they tried to escape. The police had open fired after two of the accused snatched weapons from the police and open fired.

While some have hailed the incident, others have called it extra-judicial killing. Soon after the incident came to light, the locals gathered at the encounter site and showered flower petals on the police.

Meanwhile, a writ petition was filed by several civil rights activists in the Telangana High Court after which the HC directed the government of Telangana to preserve the bodies of the four men till Monday, December 9. The court also directed officials to submit a CD containing video recordings of the post-mortem of all the four accused to the Principal District Judge, Mahaboobnagar.

Also Read: All 4 Accused In Hyderabad Vet Gang-Rape And Murder Case Killed In Encounter