New Delhi / You cannot kill people because you want to: Maneka on Hyd encounter

New Delhi: Hours after all four accused in Telangana veterinarian's gang rape and murder were shot dead by the police during an encounter this morning, BJP's Maneka Gandhi cautioned that the incident may set a "dangerous" precedent.

"Jo bhi hua hai bohot bhayanak hua hai (Whatever has happened is very dangerous). You can't take law in hands. They would have been hanged anyway. If you will shoot them dead before a fair trial, then what's the point of having a court, police or a legal system," the former union women and child development minister told reporters in the parliament complex.

#WATCH Maneka Gandhi:Jo hua hai bohot bhayanak hua hai desh ke liye. You can't take law in your hands,they(accused) would've been hanged by Court anyhow. If you're going to shoot them before due process of law has been followed, then what's the point of having courts,law&police? pic.twitter.com/w3Fe2whr31

— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2019

"We can pick up a gun and shoot anybody then," the 63-year-old BJP leader added.

All four men accused in the gang-rape and murder of a young veterinarian in Telangana were shot dead in the early hours today by the police, who claim they were trying to escape during investigations at the spot where the woman's body was found. The four men, Mohammed Arif (26), Jollu Shiva (20), Jollu Naveen (20) and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu (20), had been taken to the scene of the crime at 3 am for a reconstruction, the police said. 

"They were killed in crossfire. They tried to snatch weapons from the guards but were shot dead," Prakash Reddy, senior police offier from Hyderabad, said, adding that the men died before any medical help could arrive.

The killing of the four accused in the rape-murder case, which triggered widespread shock and horror, has sparked mixed reactions across the nation.

Many, including the 27-year-old woman's father, backed the police after the encounter.  "It has been 10 days to the day my daughter died. I express my gratitude towards the police and the government for this. My daughter's soul must be at peace now." Actor Rishi Kapoor, badminton player Saina Nehwal also praised the cops. 

However, Congress's Karti Chidambaram said the "killings are a blot to our system". "Rape is an heinous crime. It must be dealt with strictly under the provisions of law. While I hold no brief for the alleged perpetrators of this dastardly act, "encounter" killings are a blot to our system. While I understand the urge for instant justice, this is not the way," he wrote on Twitter.