BHRC orders Rs 2 lakh compensation over suicide in lock-up

The Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) today directed the state government to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the widow of a person who allegedly hanged himself to death in a police station lock-up 11 years ago.
It has also sought report on administrative actions taken against the concerned Station House Officer (SHO), Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and the constable on lock-up duty within two months.
BHRC member Neelmani said the case pertains to Muffasil police station in Purnia district, where one Mohammad Noman was assaulted and humiliated by the then Mukhiya Dhananjay Bhagat and other villagers, who alleged they had caught him red-handed with a saw while cutting an electric pole on August 21, 2004.

Noman was then handed over to the police and an FIR was lodged against him. He was found dead next morning from the gate of the lock-up of Muffasil police station. The post-mortem report gave the opinion as death due to asphyxia by hanging and suicidal in nature.
"His wife, Akalima Khatoon lodged an FIR alleging that the Mukhiya had pulled him out of his house and thrashed, as well as, humiliated him badly before handing him over to the police. The Mukhiya was, however, acquitted by a fast track court, but the police cannot get away from the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of persons in its custody," Neelmani added.

The BHRC member said, it was due to this reason that the "state owes to the petitioner in as much as it failed to protect her husband while in custody.