SHILLONG:
In a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning custodial violence and prison conditions, the Division Bench of the Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday, expressed doubts about the State’s readiness to raise the amount of compensation offered. The court had previously adjourned the matter when the State informed them that the issue of enhanced compensation for those who died in custody since 2012 was being actively considered.
The High Court stated that it must assess whether the compensation provided by the State in its notification is sufficient. They also emphasised the need to ensure appropriate compensation is paid to the next of kin of individuals who suffered unnatural deaths while in custody.
To further examine the matter, the court scheduled the next appearance three weeks from now. During this upcoming session, they will review individual instances of 49 custodial death cases since 2012 to determine the State’s liability in each situation. The court will also consider the precedent set by a previous judgment from 2017, wherein Rs 15 lakh was awarded in a case of unnatural death.