Mumbai: Maharashtra govt will provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of a jail inmate who dies due to unnatural causes like medical negligence, assault by prison staff, or inmate altercations where administrative failures are established, according to a policy approved by the state cabinet on Tuesday. For custody-related deaths by suicide, inmates’ families will receive Rs 1 lakh compensation.
The state cabinet, under chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership, endorsed the compensation framework policy for families affected by custodial deaths following recommendations made by Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC).
No compensation will be given to the family if an inmate dies due to old age-related ailments, chronic illnesses, accidents while trying to flee from custody, or when out on bail or refusing to undergo medical treatment for a disease, said the statement issued by the chief minister’s office.
The policy ensures swift financial aid to bereaved families, eliminating administrative delays that previously existed despite the MSHRC’s directives after conducting hearings. For the last five years, Maharashtra has been ranking second in custodial deaths behind Gujarat. Police violence has been identified as the primary cause for several custody-related fatalities.
This policy will be applicable to all prisons in the state. For awarding compensation, prison superintendents must submit initial investigation reports, including post-mortem findings, panchnama, medical records, and judicial and district authority conclusions, to their regional department chief. The additional director general of police and inspector general of prison will review cases thoroughly before recommending payments to state govt. The administration has also stipulated that officials responsible for custodial deaths will face disciplinary action.
Mumbai: Maharashtra govt will provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of a jail inmate who dies due to unnatural causes like medical negligence, assault by prison staff, or inmate altercations where administrative failures are established, according to a policy approved by the state cabinet on Tuesday. For custody-related deaths by suicide, inmates’ families will receive Rs 1 lakh compensation.
The state cabinet, under chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership, endorsed the compensation framework policy for families affected by custodial deaths following recommendations made by Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC).
No compensation will be given to the family if an inmate dies due to old age-related ailments, chronic illnesses, accidents while trying to flee from custody, or when out on bail or refusing to undergo medical treatment for a disease, said the statement issued by the chief minister’s office.
The policy ensures swift financial aid to bereaved families, eliminating administrative delays that previously existed despite the MSHRC’s directives after conducting hearings. For the last five years, Maharashtra has been ranking second in custodial deaths behind Gujarat. Police violence has been identified as the primary cause for several custody-related fatalities.
This policy will be applicable to all prisons in the state. For awarding compensation, prison superintendents must submit initial investigation reports, including post-mortem findings, panchnama, medical records, and judicial and district authority conclusions, to their regional department chief. The additional director general of police and inspector general of prison will review cases thoroughly before recommending payments to state govt. The administration has also stipulated that officials responsible for custodial deaths will face disciplinary action.
