SC says no rewards for policemen involved in fake encoutners

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the policemen accused of staging fake encounters should not be promoted or given a gallantry award.Issuing a set of guidelines for the police, the apex court said, the government should order immediate filing of a First Information Report and a magisterial probe into the incident in case of a fake encounter.The Supreme Court said, the cases of fake encounters should be investigated independently either by the Criminal Investigation Departments or a separate police station.The apex court has said, the policeman will record tip-offs given to them about the criminals that result in encounter.The policeman involved in the encounter shall surrender the arm, weapons and ammunition after the encounter, the court said. The court's guidelines came on a petition by Surat Singh that was filed back in 1999.