Kataka: Holding jail authorities responsible for the death of an undertrial prisoner following assault by fellow inmates, the Orissa High Court has directed the state government to pay Rs 15 lakh compensation to his widow and provide her with a Group-D job.
The order was passed by the HC during hearing of a petition filed by the deceased’s wife Sasi Behera. Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy also directed that Rs 5 lakh out of the compensation amount be deposited in a fixed deposit in the name of the couple’s minor daughter for six years. The rest Rs 10 lakh will be released to the widow.
The High Court, in its recent judgement, directed the state government to complete the entire exercise within two months of receiving the order.
Charan Behera, was arrested by Bellaguntha police in Ganjam district on July 11, 2023, in connection with a theft case and remanded to judicial custody the same day. He was lodged in the special sub-jail in Bhanjanagar at around 9.30 am.
However, he was rushed to a hospital in Bhanjanagar on July 15 for medical treatment, where he was declared dead. Referring to the final form submitted in the case, the court noted that Charan had sustained multiple internal and external injuries after being assaulted by fellow inmates inside the jail, which ultimately led to his death.
An inquiry into the incident had also found that negligence on the part of the jail authorities had resulted in the prisoner’s death in custody.
“Since it is not disputed that the deceased while in custody died on 15.07.2023 because of the injuries inflicted on him by the co-convicts, this Court is inclined to allow the prayer made in the Writ Petition,” Justice Satapathy observed.
The court also took note of the family’s circumstances. Charan was survived by his wife, three minor children and elderly parents, making his death a severe financial setback for the family.
Besides ordering the payment of compensation, the HC directed the state government to provide Sasi with a suitable Group-D post in the department concerned as a special case on compassionate grounds.
