Rs. 4,0001-. This time, out of fear and with considerable difficulty, the complainant collected
the money and paid the amount to the Jail Superintendent. The investigation also confirmed
that there was another prisoner serving a life sentence in the same jail with an identical name,
who was released in June 1995 and a letter received in his name was conveniently placed In
the file of the complainant. It was a copy of that letter, which refarred to arrangements for
securing a passport, that was supplied by the Jail Superintendent to the District Magistrate
when the complainant requested the grant of parole to attend to his wife's treatment. The Jail
Superintendent, in his forwarding letter to the District Magistrate, had stated that, in view
of the disclosure made in the letter, it would not be advisable to grant parole to Shri
Harbhajan Singh. It was only when the son of the complainant, learning of the matter, brought
this to the notice of the District Magistrate, that the parole to Shri Harbhajan Singh was
granted.
The Commission noted that according to the complainant, the mixing- up of papers
was not a mistake, but done with malafide intent. The further allegation of the complainant
was that even on the occasion when his case was cleared for parole, he was threatened that
if the money demanded was not paid, he would not be able to visit his alling wife. Taking the
allegation of mischievous conduct with malafide intent seriously, the Commission recommended
to the State Government that a thorough inquiry be ordered in the matter and appropriate
actions initiated against the guilty officiats. In addition, noting that the complainant was victimised
and harassed by the Jail Officials, the Commission also recommended immediate interim
relief of Rs. 20,0001- for the suffering, deprivation, humiliation and the harassment suffered by
the complainant at the hands of these officials.
10.
Death of an Infant child in judical custody: Haryana
(Case No.9421195-96NH RC)
The Commission received an intimation from Jail Superintendent, Rohtak, about the
death of an infant female child aged about 2 months who, alongwith another female child aged
about two years, were lodged with their mother in the Rohtak District Jail. The Commission
issued notice and called for a report in the matter from the Government of Haryana. The
report received from the Financial Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Haryana,
Jail Department stated that a post-mortem examination had been conducted on the body of
the infant child and that the City Magistrate, Rohtak had made a magisterial inquiry under
section 176 CrPC into the circumstances leading to the death of the infant and recorded the
statement of number of witnesses includingthe mother of the deceased child. He had concluded
that the child had died of natural causes and that the family members of the child had no
suspicion or grievance against anybody and nobody could be held responsible for the death of
the child.