The nation on Friday woke up to the news of the encounter of 4 rapists who were involved in raping and burning the 26-year-old Veterinary doctor from Hyderabad (Aka Disha). Hyderabad Police who took the four victims to the spot of crime for recreation of the scene as a part of investigations was forced to open fire when the accused snatched their gun and were looking to flee from the police custody.
#WATCH Hyderabad: 'DCP Zindabad, ACP Zindabad' slogans raised near the spot where where accused in the rape and murder of the woman veterinarian were killed in an encounter by Police earlier today. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/2alNad6iOt
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2019
The happenings on Friday morning had quite a similarities to an encounter that took place 11 years ago in the same state (United Andhra Pradesh now Part of Telangana) in the city of Warangal (Now In Telangana). Not only the style of encounter but the nature of crime and the effect of crime on the victim were also the same.
Hyderabad: Locals had showered rose petals on Police personnel at the spot where accused in the rape and murder of the woman veterinarian were killed in an encounter earlier today pic.twitter.com/66pOxK1C2b
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2019
In 2008 a final year Engineering student of Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science (KITS) Swapnika succumbed to burns, injuries and organ failure in the aftermath of an acid attack on her by her colleague Srinivas Rao whose proposal she has rejected.
Also Read: Justice Served, One Bullet At A Time As Rape Accused Encountered In Telangana
The Warangal Police nabbed the culprits S. Srinivas Rao, 25, and his associates P. Harikrishna, 24, and B. Sanjay, 22 who were involved in throwing acid on Swapnika and her friend. The police killed the three alleged in an encounter hours after they were arrested when they tried to attack the police with crude bombs in an attempt to escape.
Congratulations …….हैदराबाद पुलिस को बधाई
— @देशी-मीणा@ (@Meghraj20061988) December 6, 2019
V. C Sajjanar IPS
Then Warangal Acid Attack Encounter as SP
Now Disha Rape and Murder Encounter pic.twitter.com/tQ7fvZ6o1K
1996 batch IPS Officer VC Sajjanar is the common link between the two cases. VC Sajjanar who was then the Superintendent of Police in Warangal was here leading the Telangana Police in the capacity of Commissioner.
Take A Bow Sajjanar IPS ?? Sir..
2008- Warangal encounter (Acid Attack)
Designation : SP
2019- Hyderabad encounter (Disha)
Designation : CP #JusticeForDisha@cpcybd@KTRTRS pic.twitter.com/rZXFkQgra8— M Ravi Shankar (@MRaviShankar3) December 6, 2019
The Top cop who gained the title of “encounter cop” after the Warangal encounter had low profile up till then. However, this move put him in limelight and his abilities and leadership qualities as a cop were praised.
Also Read: 9 Years Old Dies During Treatment After Father Raped Her
From Swapnika to Disha another thing that was common was the response to the Police action. People welcomed the encounters both the time and the families of the victims said that justice has been served.
#WATCH Hyderabad: Neigbours of the woman veterinarian, celebrate and offer sweets to Police personnel after the four accused were killed in an encounter earlier today pic.twitter.com/MPuEtAJ1Jn
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2019
Though there might be some questions that would be raised by the civil society on the authenticity of the encounter as was done at the time of Warangal incident but the aptness of the police action is something that was hailed last time and is accepted this time around as well.
Also Read: After Punjab, Nagpur Police To Drop Stranded Women At Night
For a country like India that is known for its high crime rates and especially crime against women, the top police brass needs to be determined and dedicated to serve the people by creating a fear in the minds of those who violate the law while itself acting within the ambit of law.
