NHRC notice to TN over SL refugee's death in "police custody"

National Human Rights Commission today said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging death of a Sri Lankan refugee in police custody here and has issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government seeking report within four weeks.
Notices have been issued to Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu calling for reports within four weeks, a NHRC release said.
NHRC referred to a media report alleging that a 45-year-old man Mohan died while being in the custody of Pallikaranai Police here on September 4.
Justice D Murugesan, Member of the Commission, observed that "as per the media report, Mohan died while he was in police custody and that too due to the severe torture by the police."

He observed that Mohan was kept in the custody of police for over three days against all canons of justice and law which would amount to illegal detention.
During inquiry on September 4 night, he collapsed and was admitted to a private hospital where he was declared dead.

The wife and other family members of the victim alleged that the death was due to severe attack and brutal treatment by the police.
"On verification of the Registry of the Commission, it is also ascertained that no intimation of the death was received in the Commission from the State Government so far," the release said.

According to the NHRC guidelines, intimation regarding death in custody has to be reported to the Commission within 24 hours, the release said.