Custodial deaths not uncommon phenomenon in Tihar jail: HC
The Delhi High Court has awarded a compensation of Rs 6.54 lakh to the family members of an accused who was killed in Tihar jail, saying it is not an ''uncommon phenomenon'' in the capital's prison.
"The custodial deaths in Tihar jail are not an uncommon phenomenon as is evident from some of the recorded cases," Justice S Muralidhar said while dismissing the plea of jail authority that the prisoner had died because of self-inflicted injury.
Vinod Kumar was killed under mysterious circumstances just two days after he was sent to Tihar jail under judicial custody by a court in 2007.
"The findings clearly point to the homicidal death of late Vinod Kumar which took place while he was in judicial custody in the Tihar jail. A clear case of violation of his fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution has been made out," the court said while pointing out the post-mortem report of the deceased.
The court passed the order on a petition filed by the wife of the accused pleading that her husband, who was the sole earner of family, lost his life under mysterious circumstances leading to family's hardship. ` "It is directed that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi which is in-charge of the Tihar jail complex will pay to the wife a sum of Rs 6,54,584 which one-third will be payable to her and one-third each to the two children," the court said.
