New Delhi:An application has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking reconstitution of the judicial inquiry commission and replace ex-DGP KL Gupta as there is "real likelihood of bias" in the investigation.
Earlier on July 22, the apex court had approved the Uttar Pradesh government's draft notification for appointing former apex court judge Justice (retd) B S Chauhan as chairman of the 3-member inquiry commission on the killing of eight policemen and the subsequent encounter killings of gangster Vikas Dubey and five of his alleged associates.
The other two members of the inquiry commission would be – former high court judge Justice (retd) Shashi Kant Agarwal and retired Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh K L Gupta.
However, advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi, has urged the top court to replace Gupta, alleging that there could be bias.
Quoting Gupta from recent media reports where he has given statements, Awasthi contended that even before the conclusion of investigation, Gupta had gone on record saying that police statements should be accepted at the "face value" and the encounters are "not done, they happen".
In of the TV debate shows, Gupta said that Vikas Dubey's vehicle was switched to obtain an "element of surprise" and SUVs "overturn all the time".