HC orders State to pay ` 25,000 compensation to inmate
the goan I network
PANAJI
Justice F M Reis and Justice Nutan Sardessai partly allowed a criminal writ petition and directed the State to pay the compensation with the liberty to recover from the delinquent official after fixing the responsibility on him.
From the material on record, the HC observed that the petitioner was subjected to assault while in custody which is a clear reflection of violation of his right to life enshrined in the Constitution of India.
“He (the petitioner) is not only entitled to compensation for the injuries inflicted unduly on him but a message was also required to be sent to the officials that such acts on their part would visit them with punitive or disciplinary action for violation of the human rights of the prisoner for no justifiable reason,” reads the judgment.
Singh, the petitioner, availed free legal aid service to approach the judiciary.
In his petition, he had stated that he was subjected to physical and mental torture apart from harassment and assault with lathis by the prison authority on duty as per the directions of the former Superintendent of Central Jail, Aguada on October 30, 2012 between 1 pm and 1.30 pm.
An enquiry was ordered
THE CASE
Rajendra Singh, serving life term was subjected to physical and mental torture apart from harassment and assault with lathis by prison officials on October 30, 2012
COURT OBSERVATIONS
Petitioner subjected to assault while in custody; clear violation of right to life
Officials need to know such acts would visit them with punitive or disciplinary action
ENQUIRY REPORT
Petitioner assaulted by jail authorities but identity of assailants not certain
Doctor confirms petitioner suffered multiple bruises which could have been caused by lathis or sticks
