NHRC recommends Rs 3 lakh relief for kin of dead undertrial

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission has recommended to the UP Government to pay Rs 3 lakh monetary relief to the family of a murder victim in Badaun district Jail.

The Commission has asked the State Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report along with proof of payment.

Undertrial Rais Ahmed's death was brought to the Commission's notice by Badaun District Jail Superintendent. The investigation of the case by CBCID disclosed the involvement of Deputy Jailor and some warders.

The NHRC move comes after a show cause notice to the State government on April 9, 2007. The Uttar Pradesh Director General of Jail Administration and Correctional Services had responded to the notice in November 2007.

He had urged the Commission to await the decision of criminal trial, which was initiated against ''delinquent'' officers in the case.

Following this, the Commission said, ''there is no justification in deferring its decision whatever be the fate of officials who had been put on trial, the fact remained that the prisoner died a homicidal death in judicial custody''.

''The State was under substantive obligation to protect life and failure of the obligation renders the State accountable for monetary relief to the affected persons.'' UNI NR RL HS1637