NHRC issues Notice to IG (Prisons), Maharashtra on the death of one under-trial and injuries to three others

New Delhi, January 04, 2006

The National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Maharashtra Government on a news report about the custodial death of one person and injuries to three others in Mumbai's Arthur Road Prison. The Commission has given two weeks time to the State's Inspector General of Prisons to submit the report. Taking Suo-Motu cognizance of the Times of India report published on December 24, 2006, the Commission said if the contents of the report were true, they raise serious issue of violation of human rights of the under-trial prisoners.
According to the report, a scuffle over filling potable water in a barrack of the prison snowballed into a fight resulting in the death of one under-trial and injuries to three other. The report further said that the barrack with the capacity to house only 50 people, was accommodating 157 under-trials and 75 inmates were present at the time of incident.
The Commission also took serious note of the fact that no intimation has been received by it about the death in custody. The Commission further said that an explanation from the District Magistrate concerned may also be called for, for not reporting death in custody within 24 hours in accordance with the NHRC's guidelines.