Lucknow, Jan. 16 -- After the United Nations red flagged a series of encounters in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a petition seeking a court-monitored inquiry into police encounters against alleged criminals in the state. Hearing the plea that sought the inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said the encounters are a very serious matter and require a detailed hearing.

The next hearing for the petition filed by People's Union for Civil Liberties and Citizens Against Hate is scheduled on February 12.

Expressing concerns over allegations that the UP Police committed at least 59 extrajudicial killings ...