High Court slaps a fine on the government

Patna, Mar 31 (UNI) Patna High Court today slapped a fine of Rs five lakh on the Bihar government following the custodial death of a person.

A single bench of Justice Barin Ghosh directed the state government to the depenendents of a jail inmate, who died after the alleged police excesses at Digha police station of Patna in 1998, within three months and initiate departmental proceedings against the guilty policemen. The bench also ordered the government to recover the compensation money from the erring policemen.

The victim was picked up by the police during armed clash between two groups. The police allgedly tortured him at the Digha police station and was later produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Patna who sent him to the Beur Central Model jail.

When the condition of the victim started deteriorating, the jail authorities sent him to Patna Medical College and Hospital but he died on way.

Later, the father of the victim, Ramawatar Swarnkar filed a complaint with the court of CJM against the then officer-in-charge of Digha police station and a sub inspector rank police office.

When the government took no action against the 'erring' police officers despite the court of CJM finding them guilty of the torture, the father of the deceased moved to the High Court for compensation of Rs ten lakh and action against the said police personnel.

UNI/XC/DH SJC MA DB2200