Niraj Das, a man with a criminal record of drug trafficking and the prime accused in the lynching of student leader Animesh Bhuyan in Jorhat, Assam, was allegedly killed in an accident during an escape bid. As many celebrated his death, they saw it as Assam Police delivering justice. But is it really justice? In a state with an increasing number of 'encounters', with the Himanta Biswa Sarma government's emphasis on a “zero tolerance policy” regarding criminals, what are the questions it raises?