The country, on Friday morning, woke up to a "bolt from the blue" announcement in the brutal gang rape and murder case of Hyderabad's young veterinarian, where all the four accused have been shot dead in an 'encounter' by the Telangana Police.
The accused were killed when they allegedly tried to escape from the crime scene where the police had brought them to re-enact the incident.
Reacting to the unexpected, yet "satisfying" act, celebrities took to social media to express their "happiness".
Actor Rakul Preet Singh posted "How far can you run away after committing a crime like Rape .. #Encounter, thankyou #Telangana police."
Rishi Kapoor.File/ AFP
Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted: "Bravo Telangana Police. My congratulations!"
Taking to the Micro-blogging site, actor Anupam Kher wrote "Congratulations and #JaiHo to #TelenganaPolice for shooting down the four rapists of in an 'ENCOUNTER'. All those who demanded harsh punishment in the case, now say with me #Jai Ho!"
Anupam Kher. File/ AFP
Actor Ranvir Shorey wrote "Perversion of the justice system cannot be the answer to dealing with perverts in society. Fixing the justice system is."
Ranvir Shorey. File/AFP
'Jannat' actress Sonal Chauhan tweeted "I know this will spark many debates but can I just say a big thank you and salute the @TelanganaPolice, You guys are the real heroes. We are so proud of you. Justice has been served."
Sonal Chauhan. File/ AFP
Describing the alleged encounter killing of the accused in the Hyderabad gang rape and murder case as "very unfortunate", former Supreme Court Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly on Friday said it was an indication of something sinister - protectors of the law taking the law in their own hand.
Ganguly also did not find convincing the police version that the four accused had tried to flee, and said the "right to trial of even the most heinous perpetrators of crimes cannot be snatched in this way".