MP govt asked to pay compensation

Bhopal, May 06: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Madhya Pradesh Government to pay Rs two lakh as relief to the kin of a person who was found dead after having taken to police station in Guna district. Dharam Swaroop had filed a complaint with the Commission in 2000, stating that the body of Shanker Mali was found in a pond near Bajaranjgarh police station in Guna district on January 23, 2000.

It was also mentioned that the deceased had been taken to the police station in connection with a theft case. In the Commission, the police maintained that Shankar was not in custody at the time of his death as he had been released at midnight after interrogation. The magistrate who inquired into the circumstances of death believed the police version. The post-mortem report, however, showed some fresh injuries on the dead body. Considering the totality of circumstances, the Commission found the police version doubtful. It felt that there was no explanation for the injuries on the dead body.

Following this, the Commission issued a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradesh as to why monetary relief should not be given to the next of kin of Shankar Mali. In his reply, Additional Secretary (Home), MP reiterated the police version but at the same time conveyed the State government’s willingness to comply with the Commission’s decisions. While asking the State to pay the monetary relief the Commission has also asked the MP Government to submit the compliance report along with the proof of payment.