Rs 3 lakh compensation in custodial death case

Chennai, July 29: Madras High Court has awarded a compensation of Rs three lakh to the family a person who died in custody.

Mr Justice K Raviraja Pandian yesterday awarded the compensation to S Indumathi, whose husband Selvaraj was a victim of custodial death.

According Indumathi, her husband Selvaraj was picked up by the J J Nagar Police on August 24, 1997 following a complaint from one Srikumar in a civil dispute.

Alleging he was tortured to death at the hands of policemen, she prayed for a CBI inquiry into the matter. She also sought a compensation of Rs five lakh.

Ms Indumathi contended that the policemen mercilessly tortured and beaten her husband leading to his death.

Pointing out the government's submission that an enquiry conducted by Ponneri RDO held it was not natural death and occurred due to head injuries, Mr Justice Pandian recommended suitable action against Inspector Balasubramaniam, SI Thangam and Constables Elumalai, Ravi and Chellappa.

The government also initiated criminal proceedings against the five before the Principal Sessions Judge, Chingelpet.

Apart from passing sentence against the accused, the PSJ ordered a compensation of Rs 75,000 payable by the Inspector and another Rs 50,000 by the Sub Inspector to the petitioner.

As the appeal by the Inspector was pending before the High Court, the judge said there was no need for CBI enquiry.

Referring to the government's submission that it also granted a compensation of Rs one lakh to the petitioner and Rs 1.25 lakh deposited by the accused, he said the total of Rs 2.25 lakh could be regarded as a just compensation The victim was only 40 years old at the time of his death and the petitioner was just 33-years-old. They had two minor children.

Taking into consideration these facts 'I am of the view that a compensation of Rs three lakh could be awarded to the petitioner.'' the judge added.

After deducting Rs one lakh paid by the government, the remaining Rs two lakh should be paid to the petitioner within eight weeks, he said.

In a similar case, the judge directed the State Home Secretary to pay a compensation of Rs three lakh to Mamangaselvi whose husband Sadayan of Thanjavur was also a victim of custodial death.

UNI