Custody death: Chhattisgarh HC notice to govt

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Aug 31 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a notice to the state government over a compensation demand regarding an accused's death in suspicious circumstances two years back while in police custody.

While hearing a plea by Janjgir-Champa district's Ms Ganeshi Bai yesterday, Justice Sunil Kumar Sinha issued the notice, returnable in four weeks.

''The petitioner's husband Yashwant Satnami was arrested on August 6, 2005 under the Arms Act,'' submitted Petitioner's Counsel Rakesh Pandey.

The following day, constables Shankarlal Rathore and Nankumar Sidar took Satnami on a motorbike and headed here. Police claimed that Satnami was crushed under a truck after attempting to escape by jumping off the motorcycle but Ms Bai alleged that her husband was murdered and the body flung in front of the lorry. A case was registered against the personnel ten months after Satnami's death.

The plea said that a magisterial inquiry described the constables' behaviour as suspicious. Ms Bai demanded compensation of Rs 10 lakh in view of her family circumstances.

UNI