TN govt files report in HC on deaths in state prisons

The Tamil Nadu government today informed the Madras High Court that out of 264 deaths that occurred in prisons across the state between 2012 and 2015, compensation was given only in three cases.
This was stated in a report filed by the government in the court in response to a PIL by advocate K Kesavan who sought a judicial inquiry into prison deaths and interim compensation of Rs five lakh each claiming that more than 1,000 prisoners had died of various reasons in 13 years from year 2000.
After going through the report filed by the Home Department and Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA), a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said, "We would like to see what is the further progress in this regard by the next date of hearing."

The report by the Home Department stated that the death of prisoners has been informed to the local police, judicial magistrates, district collectors, government, SHRC and NHRC.
It said the total number of deaths of remand prisoners dealt by the public department from 2012 to 2015, was 137. The total number of convicts whose deaths were dealt by the state Home Department from 2012 to 2015, was 127 and the inquiry reports in 99 deaths were yet to be received.
While referring to the report filed by the TNSLSA, which stated that in the last one week, 40 cases have been dealt with, the bench said, "What we fail to appreciate is that if this pace of progress can be made one week before the date of hearing, why cannot the same pace to be maintained throughout the period.

"It thus suggests that things are done only at the last minute when the court hearing day is about to reach."
The bench then adjourned the matter to September 30 for further compliance.