PEOPLES UNION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court addressed the procedural guidelines for investigating police encounters, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to legal standards. The Court directed the State of Maharashtra to register offenses under Section 302 IPC against police officers involved in unlawful killings and mandated the establishment of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission under Section 21 of the Human Rights Act, 1993. The Court held that proper procedures must be followed to protect life and liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 and Article 14 of the Constitution of India, thereby reinforcing the importance of human rights in law enforcement.