Custodial deaths: HC takes cognisance of SC direction

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banarjee and Justice M Sundar, on citing the Supreme Court judgment issued on September 15, said, “We initiate suo motu public interest petition to identify the next of kin of the prisoners who admittedly died an unnatural death during 2012 and 2015 and even thereafter as revealed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and award suitable compensation to them, unless adequate compensation has already been awarded.” 

After Advocate General Vijay Narayan took notice on behalf the State Government, the bench posted the matter for further hearing to October 30. 

While observing that custodial death is a crime and such incidents indicate the “apparent disdain” of the state to life and liberty of prisoners, the Supreme Court had passed a slew of directions over unnatural deaths and prison reforms across India.

It also pointed out that unless the state changes the mindset and takes steps to give meaning to life and liberty of every prisoner, jail reforms could never be effective. 

The top court had also directed the ministry of woman and child development to discuss with the concerned officials of state governments and formulate procedures for tabulating the number of children (if any) who suffer an unnatural death in child care institutions where they are kept in custody either because they are in conflict with law or because they need care and protection.