New Delhi, July 3 -- State cannot escape liability for a custodial death even if the death is by suicide by pleading lack of direct culpability or relying on statutory schemes, the Delhi High Court has held, while awarding Rs.18.44 lakh as compensation to the father of a 19-year-old man who died by suicide in police custody in 2018.
The court in its July 1 verdict, observed that a custodial death is a "systemic concern" that strikes at the very foundation of the rule of law. "An unnatural death in custody, even if by suicide... reflects an omission of duty on the part of those charged with safekeeping," the court said. P8
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....