New Delhi, 16th January, 2013
Complying with the directions of the NHRC, the Government of Chhattisgarh has paid Rs. 5 lakhs as monetary relief to the next of kin of an undertrial prisoner, who died in judicial custody on the 24th August, 2011. He was lodged in Kankar District jail and died in Kamladevi District Hospital.

On the basis of the material on record, including post-mortem report and the expert opinion, the Commission had concluded that Chaitu Potai was suffering from severe anemia. He died due to want of proper and timely medical treatment. There was only a temporary jail doctor in Kankar jail.

The Chhattisgarh Government in response to NHRC's show cause notice had contended that Chaitu Potai's death was natural, hence, the grant of interim relief to the next of kin of the deceased was not justified. Setting aside this contention, the Commission had recommended monetary relief of Rs. 5 lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased and also called for compliance report which was submitted to the Commission.

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