Death In Police Custody: Orissa HC Directs Govt To Pay Rs 10 Lakh Compensation To Victim’s Family

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to pay a financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of a youth who died in police custody in Koraput district.

As per the case, the victim, Akash Mahuria, the son of Pradip Kumar Mahuria and Prabina Mahuria was arrested by police from Gandhi Chhak in Jeypore town of the district on January 30, 2017. Akash, who faced several criminal cases, was allegedly tortured while in custody at Jeypore Town police station.

Akash became seriously ill apparently after the torture and was admitted to Jeypore sub-divisional hospital next day. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to district headquarters hospital. But he succumbed one day after.

Though the parents of Akash wanted to filed a complaint, the police did not accept it. They then approached the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) alleging that their son was a victim of custodial torture and sought justice. The Commission directed the Crime Branch (CB) to investigate into the case.

The High Court, in its order, observed that since the CB has been postponing the hearing of the case repeatedly, it seems to be not sincere in the investigation. On the basis of the medical report of the deceased, the high court directed the government to pay the financial compensation.