India, Jan. 31 -- The Allahabad High Court has slammed Uttar Pradesh Police the growing practice of shooting accused in their legs and claiming it as encounters. The State DGP and the Home Secretary have been asked to inform the HC whether any oral or written directions have been issued to police officers to shoot accused persons in the legs or otherwise by claiming it to be a police encounter.

The HC observed that the practice of police encounters, particularly firing at the legs of accused persons, has seemingly become a routine feature. This is ostensibly done to please superior officers or to teach the accused a so-called lesson by way of punishment, the bench remarked.

"Such conduct is wholly impermissible, as the power to punish l...