Operation Langda in Uttar Pradesh: Policing, Due Process and Rule of Law Concerns

6 Jun 2026

A recent analysis examined the growing use of “Operation Langda” by the Uttar Pradesh Police, raising questions about crime control, due process, and rule of law.

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What is Operation Langda?

Operation Langda refers to a policing practice in Uttar Pradesh where accused persons are allegedly shot in the leg during police encounters and then arrested.
It is often called a “half-encounter” because the accused survives but is incapacitated through injury rather than being killed.
Typically follows a pattern of suspect interception, alleged attempt to flee or attack, police retaliation, leg injury, arrest, and weapon recovery.
It emerged under the State’s “zero-tolerance” approach to crime and is presented as a method of incapacitating habitual offenders.

Why Has It Gained Attention?

Crime Control Tool: Supporters view it as a quick method to incapacitate habitual offenders amid low conviction rates and delays in the criminal justice system.
Non-Lethal Encounter Model: Unlike traditional encounter killings, suspects usually survive with leg injuries, making the practice appear more legally defensible.
Institutionalisation of Encounters: The large number of such incidents and their official endorsement have turned an exceptional tactic into a routine policing practice.

Concerns About the Operation Langda

Violation of Due Process: Punishment is effectively imposed before judicial determination of guilt, undermining the criminal justice system.
Human Rights Concerns: Deliberately injuring suspects raises concerns under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
Extra-Judicial Punishment: Critics argue it blurs the line between law enforcement and punishment, a function reserved for courts.
Lack of Accountability: Repetitive encounter narratives and limited independent scrutiny may weaken transparency.
Perverse Incentives: Rewards, recognition, and encounter statistics may encourage excessive use of such tactics.

Judicial Position

Supreme Court: In People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. State of Maharashtra, the Supreme Court prescribed detailed guidelines and independent investigation of encounter cases.
Allahabad High Court: In 2026, the court observed that “half-encounters” appeared to be becoming routine and reiterated that the power to punish belongs exclusively to the judiciary.

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Way Forward

Strengthen Due Process: Ensure strict compliance with Supreme Court guidelines, including independent investigation of every encounter.
Improve Criminal Justice Delivery: Enhance investigation quality, forensic capacity, and speed of trials to reduce reliance on extra-legal methods.
Accountability & Transparency: Mandate body cameras, encounter audits, judicial oversight, and public reporting of encounter cases.
Focus on Community-Centred Policing: Promote intelligence-led policing, crime prevention, and community engagement instead of punitive encounter-based approaches.