Annual Report 2009-2010
4.19 The Commission upon consideration of the entire record observed that as per the expert
opinion, the deceased had died on account of the cumulative effect of bronchitis of both the
lungs and injuries that were inflicted by his co-inmates while confined in the jail. The fact that
the deceased was in the care and custody of the State, it failed to protect his life, hence violating
his human rights.
4.20 In response to the show-cause notice served by the Commission, the State Government
reported that on the complaint of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate a case—Crime No. 310/07
for the offences punishable u/s 302/147/148/149/323/325/326 IPC was registered against all
the offenders. Their reply further revealed that sanction of the State had been obtained for
prosecution but the ma�er was pending in the court. The Commission noted that in the reply
received, it had been admi�ed by the State Government that prima facie the jail officials were
guilty. The victim Babu Lal, who was ailing from a lung disease, was beaten inside the jail
by other inmates in the presence of the jail officials, which resulted in his death. In the given
circumstances, the Commission recommended to the State Government to pay a monetary
relief of Rs.3,00,000/- to the next of kin of the deceased.
4.21
The proof of payment from the Government of Madhya Pradesh is awaited in the case.
3.
Death of Bhagat Ram in Police Custody in Rajasthan
(Case No. 376/20/2006-2007-CD)
4.22 The NHRC on 15 June 2006 received information about the death of one Bhagat Ram
in police custody from the Superintendent of Police, Kota, Rajasthan. It was divulged by the
concerned Police Officer that the victim had died on 15 June 2006 itself. The deceased had been
arrested on 15 June 2006 in a case u/s 306 IPC registered at Ramganj Mandi Police Station in
Kota, Rajasthan. While being taken in a private vehicle to Ramganj Mandi Police Station, the
vehicle was stopped on the road side at the request of the victim for allowing him to ease. The
deceased, however, ran towards a truck and jumped in front of it. In the ensuing melee, the
victim was crushed to death.
4.23 During the magisterial enquiry, the ADM of Kota city, while criticizing the police escort
party for using a private vehicle believed the police version and concluded that the accused
himself had invited death by jumping in front of a speeding truck.
4.24 The Commission in its proceedings dated 2 September 2008 observed that prima facie the
police escort party was negligent and hence issued a show-cause notice to the Government of
Rajasthan u/s 18 of the PHRA.
4.25 In its response to the show-cause notice issued by the Commission, the State Government
of Rajasthan contended that the police was not negligent in any manner. The Commission,
however, vide its proceedings dated 3 August 2009 stated that lack of vigilance on the part of
the police escort gave the accused Bhagat Ram an opportunity to escape from police custody
and jump before a speeding truck. If the police escort had been a�entive, the deceased Bhagat
Ram would not have got an opportunity to escape from the custody of the police and jump
before a speeding truck. From all aspects, the incident was a result of negligence on the part
20
NHRC