SHILLONG:
The Division Bench of the Meghalaya High Court, on August 1, directed concerning authorities to complete all preparatory steps pertaining to custodial deaths due to violence and other matters relating to state prison conditions in the state since 2012, within two weeks.
“All the preparatory steps indicated above should be completed within the next two weeks so that the quantum of compensation and the cases in which the same may be awarded may be ascertained when the matter is taken up three weeks hence,” the Court said, while hearing a suo motu custodial violence and other matters relating to prison conditions on Monday.
Several of the heirs or the next of kin of the persons, who died in custody in this state since 2012, were represented in Court.
“Dr Mozika suggests that a further affidavit be filed to indicate the consolidated position now that all the details have come in. It would help if a chart was prepared for the matter to be best assessed by the Court, indicating the nature of death and whether it was caused due to any brutality or negligence on the part of the state,” the court said.
According to the state, all heirs or the next of kin of the Indian citizens who died in custody in the state since the year 2012 have been specifically informed of the present proceedings and of their right to be represented herein. A detailed report as to service has been prepared.
The Court stated, “Such report should be filed in course of this week. A copy of such report should also be made over to Amicus Curiae so that it can be assessed whether all the heirs or next of kin of the Indian citizens who died in harness have been appropriately served.”
As far as the foreign citizens who died in custody during the relevant period are concerned, the state said that the Ministry of External Affairs has been contacted in this regard.
The Court noted that Ministry should make every endeavour to inform the heirs or next of kin of the foreign nationals who died in custody during the relevant period that such persons have a right to be represented in the present proceedings and, in any event, entitled to receive the compensation that may be ascertained, subject to the laws of the country for remittance of the same.