Supreme Court says army will decide on court martial proceedings in Pathribal fake encounter trial

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New Delhi/Srinagar, May 1: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said in its verdict on the Pathribal fake encounter case in Kashmir that prior permission of the central government is needed to prosecute army officers.

The apex court said the army will decide in eight weeks whether the officer accused of the fake encounter will be court martialled or will face criminal trial.

It also said that if the army decides that the officer in question will be court martialled, then proceedings will start immediately.

The Supreme Court described the incident as a staged shootout and sought prosecution of the officers involved.

Army personnel have been accused in the killing of seven persons in a staged shootout at Pathribal in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district 12 years ago. (ANI)