The Batla House encounter case, which took place on September 19, 2008, has been and perhaps continues to be one of the ugliest police atrocities in India or anywhere in the world. It included an operation conducted by the police special cell of the Delhi police at Batla House in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, targeting the arrest of the suspected terrorists related to the Indian Mujahideen. These suspects were alleged to have participated in the 2008 Delhi serial bomb blasts in which 30 people lost their lives.

Two "militants,” Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid, were killed; two others managed to get away. In the operation, one of the police officers, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, was shot dead. Later he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his bravery.

Such is the case of this particular issue because the respondents provide different accounts that, in one way or another, contributed to the disagreement. Meanwhile, the police claimed that this was a fight against terrorists; some human rights organisations and opposition parties alleged that it was not so. Claims of a prearranged confrontation arose, and discussions arose over unnecessary force and the absence of legal intervention.

The police’s version of the incident was supported by the judicial processes and the investigation where courts put behind bars those involved in the blasts. However, the event created some sort of rift; many groups within the community accused the police of bias and exploitation of authority.

The Batla House encounter has been used to explain the kind of challenge counter-terrorism operations involve in India. However much pressure there is on the police to launch a myriad of operations, transparency accompanied by accountability will help the police regain confidence in the public.