LUCKNOW, Feb. 21 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Friday held that the state is "absolutely liable" for the unnatural death of a prisoner in its custody, even if the death is a suicide.

The court said the right to life and human dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is an "intrinsic, inviolable and omnipresent right", extending even to a person illegally arrested or detained by the state.

A division bench of justice Shekhar B Saraf and justice Manjive Shukla passed the judgement on February 20 while allowing a petition filed by Prema Devi, who sought compensation for the death of her minor son in Pilibhit district jail.

Directing the respondents - the state government and other authorities - to pay ...