Another ‘encounter’ in Assam, why a case in Supreme Court remains stuck

In May 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to investigate allegations of fake encounters by police in Assam. Over 150 people were killed and 145 injured in these encounters between May 2021 and August 2022, with Kokrajhar district recording the highest number of 18. Former Assam DGP G P Singh tweeted in support of the third law, a reference to Newton's Third Law of Motion, suggesting that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

However, the AHRC's ability to conduct the investigation is hindered by vacant positions, with only one member out of the designated three currently functioning. The AHRC has not published public notices inviting aggrieved individuals to come forward, as required by the Supreme Court. Despite this, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has defended the police's actions, stating that shooting a fleeing criminal in the leg is legal.

The process of filling the vacant positions within the AHRC has begun, but no clear timeline has been established for when they will be filled.