3 weeks ago
Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe Into Chhattisgarh Custodial Death
A man named Shravan Suryavanshi lived in Chhattisgarh, a state in India.
Police arrested him in January 2024 because they said he had some homemade liquor.
He was kept in jail, but his health got worse.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
His family said he was hurt very badly while he was in police custody.
A judge's report said he seemed to have died because of a problem from a head injury.
A state court gave the family Rs 1 lakh, but they thought that was too little.
The Supreme Court of India, the highest court in the country, agreed with the family.
It ordered a special agency called the CBI to investigate what really happened.
It also told the state to pay the family Rs 25 lakh for now, and said the final amount would be decided later.
The Supreme Court transferred the probe into Shravan Suryavanshi's custodial death to the CBI and ordered registration of a regular criminal case.
It directed Chhattisgarh to pay Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to his widow and two daughters, with the final quantum to be decided later.
Suryavanshi, 34, was arrested by Seepat police in Bilaspur on January 18, 2024, under the Chhattisgarh Excise Act and died at CIMS Hospital on January 22, 2024.
A judicial inquiry report dated July 22, 2024, found the death appeared to be caused by complications arising from a head injury.
The court called officials' explanation for not acting a 'cover-up story' and ordered the CBI to examine officials who failed to act on the inquiry report; the next hearing is October 13.
- Who
- Widow Lahra Bai Tamre and daughters Sandhya and Sakshi, who petitioned the Supreme Court; a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta; the Central Bureau of Investigation.
- What
- Ordered a CBI probe into the custodial death of Shravan Suryavanshi, registration of a regular criminal case, and Rs 25 lakh interim compensation from the Chhattisgarh government.
- Where
- The order was passed by the Supreme Court in New Delhi; the arrest and death occurred in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
- When
- Order pronounced on Wednesday, August 12, after being reserved on August 4; Suryavanshi was arrested on January 18, 2024, and died on January 22, 2024.
- Why
- The family alleged custodial violence and challenged the Rs 1 lakh compensation; a judicial inquiry linked the death to a head injury, and the court found officials' inaction a 'cover-up'.
Petitioners (family)
Chhattisgarh government / state officials
Cause of death
Petitioners (family)
The family alleged Suryavanshi was brutally beaten in police or jail custody; the judicial inquiry found the death appeared to result from complications of a head injury.
Chhattisgarh government / state officials
The state told the High Court that a medical examination after arrest found no external injuries and cited his history of alcohol consumption and body swelling.
Compensation amount
Petitioners (family)
The family sought Rs 50 lakh and called the Rs 1 lakh award inadequate; the Supreme Court called it 'completely inadequate' and granted Rs 25 lakh interim compensation.
Chhattisgarh government / state officials
The High Court awarded Rs 1 lakh to be paid within eight weeks, holding the government liable for the unnatural custodial death without directing further action.
Investigation and FIR
Petitioners (family)
The petitioners sought an FIR and action against responsible officers; the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe and examination of officials who failed to act on the inquiry report.
Chhattisgarh government / state officials
State officials said no police or disciplinary action was taken because the judicial inquiry report had not been served on the police; the Supreme Court called this a 'cover-up story'.
Key facts
- Deceased
- Shravan Suryavanshi (alias Sarvan Tamre), aged 34
- Interim compensation
- Rs 25 lakh to be paid by the Chhattisgarh government to the widow and two daughters
- Compensation sought / earlier award
- Family sought Rs 50 lakh; Chhattisgarh High Court awarded Rs 1 lakh on October 3, 2024, with 9% annual interest in case of default
- Arrest
- January 18, 2024, by Seepat police, Bilaspur, under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act (six litres of raw mahua liquor valued at Rs 1,200)
- Death
- January 22, 2024, at CIMS Hospital, Bilaspur, after being referred from Central Jail on January 21
- Judicial inquiry report
- July 22, 2024 (Section 176 CrPC, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Bilaspur): death appeared due to complications from a head injury
- Supreme Court bench
- Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
- Next hearing
- October 13, with the CBI report to be placed before the court
Quotes
Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
Supreme Court justices
“"In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the firm opinion that the ends of justice require that the investigation into the circumstances leading to the custodial death of Shravan be entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation and that all officials found responsible for the custodial violence, upon completion of the investigation, be proceeded against and prosecuted in accordance with law."”
telegraphindia.com
thehansindia.com
Sources
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