The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Delhi government to give Rs.5 lakh to the families of Mandeep Singh and Vicky alias Vivek, killed in a fake encounter by the Delhi Police, despite the criminal case pending in the court.

The NHRC ruled out the police plea that since the case has still not received any verdict, no monetary relief should be given to the victims’ families.

The NHRC’s statement says, “The issue to be decided in the criminal court may not necessarily be the same as that before the commission.” It also states that the criminal court will decide the punishment for the accused. The monetary relief should not wait till the conclusion of the trial. It has asked the government to send a report with proof of payment within eight weeks.

The encounter took place on October 16, 2002 in Najafgarh in New Delhi. The High Court ordered the CBI to investigate the case. The CBI DIG said in his report that the claims made by the Delhi Police were false and that Mandeep and Vicky were killed in a fake encounter.

Dayanand, Mandeep’s father, in his complaint to the NHRC said that eight policemen came in private cars and forcibly took Mandeep and three others – Vicky, Sandeep Malik and Krishan Gulia - away. While Krishna and Sandeep were overpowered, Mandeep and Vicky were killed.

In response to the NHRC’s notice to the Police, the Deputy Commissioner (Vigilance) of Police said on September 1, 2003, that both Mandeep and Vicky were criminals and they were killed in cross-firing. Instead of surrendering, the two started firing, the statement said.

The four men were wanted in cases of dacoity, highway robberies and carjacking. A Mauser, a Webley Scot pistol, two country made guns and a car were recovered from them, the Police said. The suspects used to operate in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

The then DCP (North-West) T.S. Luthra said Vicky was involved in at least 17 cases.