SC hints at panel to probe Dubey's encounter killing

New Delhi, July 14: The Supreme Court on Tuesday hinted at forming a committee to probe the encounter killing of Uttar Pradesh gangster Vikas Dubey on July 10.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said it was something that the court would do very reluctantly.

"We will do something very similar to the Hyderabad gangrape-murder case, like forming a committee to probe the encounter," he added.

The court observation came during hearing on petitions that sought a court-monitored probe through an Special Investigation Team, Central Bureau of Investigation or National Investigation Agency into the "encounter deaths of Vikas Dubey and his aides and the deep criminal-politician nexus in Uttar Pradesh".

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Uttar Pradesh, contended before the bench that the state should be allowed time to file an affidavit to make its stand clear.

"I am representing the state of UP. Allow us to place our view," he said.

Mehta said that the Uttar Pradesh government wants to spell its stand since it had done much after taking the issue seriously.

He informed the court that the state government would file its reply on the steps taken in the matter by Thursday. The top court fixed further hearing on Monday next.

Dubey was accused of leading the ambush at his native village Bikru in Kanpur district wherein 8 police officials were shot dead by him and his gang members on July 3.