Azad death: SC cannot allow to kill its own children

In a strong rebuke of the government and police, the Supreme Court on Friday said the “republic cannot kill its own children” as it heard the petitions into the alleged fake encounter deaths of Maoist leader Azad and journalist Hemchandra Pandey in Andhra Pradesh last July.

Hearing the petitions filed by social activist Swami Agnivesh and the slain journalist’s wife Beenita Pandey, the Supreme Court issued notices to the federal government and the Andhra Pradesh government.

“Our republic cannot behave like this and kill its own children,” the SC bench of judges Aftab Alam and RM Lodha held.

“We hope there will be an answer. There will be a good and convincing answer,” the court observed, holding that the “government will have to answer many questions”.

Cherukuri Rajkumar, alias Azad, was a spokesperson for the Maoists. He along with the journalist was shot dead by the Andhra police last July in the Adilabad forests near the Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh border. Police said it was an encounter, but rights groups and peace negotiators with the Maoists said the encounter was fake and the two were killed deliberately.

The wife of the slain journalist said the police even tampered with the post mortem report and they were killed from a close range.

“I feel happy today,” Beenita Pandey told reporters after the Supreme Court notice. She was just married to the journalist when he was killed as a Maoist.

Speaking to media, Swami Agnivesh said he felt enthused and hopeful.

“The court is seized with the matter. I think the court is going to take it up seriously,” he told reporters.

Swami Agnivesh had termed in July last year soon after the killing of Azad that the incident was a ?major setback? to the peace process with the rebels as the slain extremist leader was ?positive? to talks and would have very soon conveyed a date for formal start of negotiations.

?The news of the killing of Azad was one of the greatest shocks of my life. I personally feel morally responsible for it,? the Swami Agnivesh had said.