Strange, Fake & Controversial ‘Encounters’ That Came Before Bhopal

If the Bhopal encounter was, in fact, fake, it wouldn’t be the first of its kind. Here’s a look at the others.

The controversial Bhopal encounter is not the first of its kind. (Photo: Lijumol Joseph/ The Quint)

Monday morning saw newsrooms across India scrambling to understand what had happened in Bhopal as eight SIMI members escaped from Bhopal Central Jail and were subsequently killed in an ‘encounter’.

Videos that emerged through the day raised several questions about the version of events put forward by the police. Authorities have called for an investigation into the jailbreak but the encounter is being taken at face value and its authenticity will not be probed.

If the Bhopal encounter was, in fact, fake, it wouldn’t be the first of its kind and most certainly isn’t the first deemed questionable. Here’s a look back at some other controversial ‘encounters’ that have happened in the country.

Sunder Daaku, 1976

Maya Dolas, 1991

Maya Dolas was killed in an encounter in 1991. (Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Ishrat Jahan, 2004

The Ishrat Jahan encounter case remains one of the most controversial. (Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Ansal Plaza Encounter, 2002

Sohrabuddin Sheikh, 2005

Sohrabuddin Sheikh with his wife Kauser Bi. (Photo: PTI)

Batla House Encounter, 2008

Dehradun Encounter Case, 2009

Source: India Today, Firstpost and Hindustan Times