61 custodial deaths in Gujarat in 2011-12: HRC report

Ahmedabad, Mar 26: There were a total 61 custodial deaths in Gujarat in the year 2011-12, according to a report submitted by the State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) in Legislative Assembly.

Of the total deaths in police or judicial custody, 51 were cases of natural deaths, while seven were suicides and three were unnatural or doubtful deaths, GSHRC said in its annual report for 2011-12 which was tabled in the House on Tuesday.

Eight of the total deaths were reported in police custody, while 53 were reported in judicial custody, it said. 24 of the deaths were reported in Ahmedabad city alone.

One death out of the 24 has been shown as unnatural or doubtful in the SHRC's annual report. Vadodara city stood second with 10 custodial deaths. However, no unnatural death was recorded in that city.

In Junagadh city four custodial deaths were recorded. Apart from Ahmedabad city, where one unnatural death was recorded, the other two unnatural or doubtful deaths in police custody took place in Rajkot city and Dahod.

Seven cases of suicides in custody were recorded one each in Ahmedabad rural, Mehasana, Rajkot rural, Junagadh, Amreli, Valsad, and Navsari districts.

The report is silent on the steps taken by the commission on unnatural or doubtful deaths. The report said 2,989 petition were received seeking SHRC's intervention in the year 2011-12 against 3,077 in 2010-11, and 2,992 petitions in 2009-10.

The report lists many cases where due to its intervention, authorities have acted in favour of petitioners and resolved their problems. The report also lists cases where SHRC had taken suo motu action based on newspaper reports.

PTI