The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Government to pay a damage of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of an under trial prisoner (UTP), who allegedly committed suicide on September 7, 2012 while lodged in the Ummerkote sub-jail of Koraput district.
Tapan Biswas, a 26-year-old youth was under judicial custody for trial in certain criminal case. But in September 2012, Tapan committed suicide inside the jail complex. Post mortem report said that the death was caused due to asphyxia and two jail warders were charged with misconduct and dereliction of duties.
Although, the NHRC acknowledged the fact that the jail authorities completed all the formalities as per the rules for treatment to save his life, the Commission recommended to pay compensation to the victim's family as he died while under the care custody of the jail authorities, said advocate Prabir Das who filed the petition on behalf of Biswas's family with the NHRC and who got a copy of the NHRC order directing the Odisha government to pay.
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A magisterial enquiry however, had given a clean chit to the jail authorities in the incident after observing that there was no foul play on the part of the jail authorities.
"The State government was liable to compensate the next of kin of the deceased for Human Rights to life of the prisoner by its officials," the Commission said in its order.
