Jharkhand HC Orders State Govt to Pay Rs 5-Lakh Compensation to Widow of Custodial Death Victim

GG News Bureau

Ranchi, 7th July. The Jharkhand High Court ordered the state government to pay 5 lakh in compensation to the widow of a prisoner who died in custody on Thursday. It also ordered an investigation into the erring police officers accountable for his death.

Babita Devi, the petitioner, had approached the high court after her husband was found dead with severe injuries on his body following his detention by police in Dhanbad in June 2015.

Babita Devi was informed by the police that her husband, Umesh Singh, would be released in the morning.

The woman’s spouse was later found dead with multiple injuries.

The inquiry was turned over to the CID by the state government, who cleared the officers of all charges.

After hearing the case, the high court determined that it was an instance of custodial death.

The compensation amount of ₹ 5 lakh should be released within six weeks, the court ordered.