Annual Report 2010-2011
Commission, it was revealed that there was no external injury found on the body of the deceased
during the post-mortem examination. The autopsy surgeon nevertheless opined the cause of
death as “Infection of both lungs; broncho-pneumonia with bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis”.
The deceased was also clinically diagnosed as ‘HIV Sero-positive’, which is a natural cause of
death.
4.39 As per the information received from the Superintendent of Kakinada Sub-Jail, the
deceased was having chest pain and breathing problem from 18 December 2008 and was
also suffering from fever for the last four days. He was provided necessary treatment. On 19
December 2008 at about 11.40 a.m. he died due to respiratory failure. The magisterial inquiry
found that the deceased was clinically diagnosed as HIV Sero-positive and died on account of
infection of both the lungs. It was further found that adequate treatment was provided to the
undertrial prisoner.
4.40 The Commission thus directed the Superintendent of Kakinada Sub-Jail to forward to
it the entire treatment record of the deceased. In response, the Superintendent informed to
the Commission that the undertrial prisoner did not express any complaint concerning his
ill-health till 18 December 2008; hence, there was no treatment record of the deceased in the
prison. Since the deceased died at the young age of 31 years and at the time of his admission
to the jail he was suffering from bronchitis and weighed only 40 kg., expert opinion from an
empanelled doctor was sought. The expert vide his report dated 5 April 2011 opined that
“considering the chronology of events, I am of the opinion that it is unlikely that for eight
months the disease, which he was suffering from, will not give rise to any symptoms and
suddenly within one day the person dies. Even at the time of entry in the jail, the person had
complained of breathlessness (Bronchitis), but no treatment was provided to him by the jail
authorities. Prima facie this is a clear cut case of medical negligence in which no treatment was
provided to a young prisoner of 31 years for eight long months, which has ultimately resulted
in his death”.
4.41 The Commission observed that as the medical negligence was established, the State was
liable to compensate the next of kin of the deceased. Consequently, the Commission directed
to issue a show-cause notice u/s 18 (a) (i) of the PHRA to the Government of Andhra Pradesh,
to show-cause as to why monetary relief should not be recommended for the next of kin of the
deceased.
4.42 The reply to the show-cause notice has been received from the Government of Andhra
Pradesh and the same is under consideration of the Commission.
Police Custody
10.
Alleged Death of a Minor Boy in Mawryngkneng Police Outpost in East Khasi Hills District,
Meghalaya (Case No. 10/15/2/09-10-AD)
4.43 The Commission received a complaint dated 11 May 2009 from one Shri Suhas Chakma,
Director, National Campaign for Prevention of Torture in Janakpuri, New Delhi alleging that
a minor boy Sngewlem Kharsati, aged 17 years and residing in Puriang village in East Khasi
26
NHRC