The return of VC Sajjanar: How India glorifies encounter killings

VC Sajjanar, the IPS officer who led the 2019 “Disha encounter,” is now Hyderabad’s new Police Commissioner. In this episode of Let Me Explain, Pooja Prasanna looks at what his rise says about India’s dangerous glorification of encounter killings, and how cinema, media, and public adulation have helped turn cops who kill into heroes.

From the Warangal acid attack case in 2008 to the Disha case in 2019, Sajjanar has come to symbolise “instant justice.” But when a man accused of extra-judicial killings is rewarded, what does that say about our justice system?

This is not just one man’s story. It’s about a country that celebrates vengeance as justice, and the growing impunity of those in uniform.

Festivals remind us that light wins over darkness, truth over deceit, and hope over fear. This Deepavali, Newslaundry and The News Minute are adding one more reason to celebrate: the spirit of independent journalism. Avail our limited festive offer here.