NHRC receives 1305 reports of custodial deaths in 2001-02
The Commission has received reports of 1,305 deaths in custody from the States/UTs in the period April 2001 to March 2002. Of these, 1,140 deaths were in judicial custody and 165 in police custody. Compared to the figures of 2000-01, the numbers of deaths in police custody have gone up by 38, while deaths in judicial custody have increased by 230. The total numbers of deaths in custody in 2000-01 were 1,037.
The highest number of deaths in police custody in 2001-02 was recorded in Maharashtra. 22 such deaths were reported from there whereas the figure in 2000-01 was 19. In 2001-02, West Bengal reported 17 such deaths; Andhra Pradesh reported 16, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 11 and Assam with 10 deaths.
Of the 1,140 deaths in judicial custody in 2001-02, the highest number was recorded in Uttar Pradesh. It reported 183 such deaths followed by 144 from Bihar, 125 from Maharashtra and 81 from Andhra Pradesh. In the previous year, the highest numbers of such deaths were recorded from Bihar – 137. Of the total number of deaths in judicial custody, well over 80 per cent were attributable to illness and old age. In other instances deaths occurred owing to illness, aggravated by illness, violence between prisoners etc.
It may be mentioned here that there are standing instructions of the Commission that all instances of custodial death should be reported to it within 24 hours of occurrence. This information must be followed-up by a report on the post-mortem, a videography report and a magisterial inquiry report.
The highest number of deaths in police custody in 2001-02 was recorded in Maharashtra. 22 such deaths were reported from there whereas the figure in 2000-01 was 19. In 2001-02, West Bengal reported 17 such deaths; Andhra Pradesh reported 16, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 11 and Assam with 10 deaths.
Of the 1,140 deaths in judicial custody in 2001-02, the highest number was recorded in Uttar Pradesh. It reported 183 such deaths followed by 144 from Bihar, 125 from Maharashtra and 81 from Andhra Pradesh. In the previous year, the highest numbers of such deaths were recorded from Bihar – 137. Of the total number of deaths in judicial custody, well over 80 per cent were attributable to illness and old age. In other instances deaths occurred owing to illness, aggravated by illness, violence between prisoners etc.
It may be mentioned here that there are standing instructions of the Commission that all instances of custodial death should be reported to it within 24 hours of occurrence. This information must be followed-up by a report on the post-mortem, a videography report and a magisterial inquiry report.