244 custodial deaths in Gujarat in 3 years

Gandhinagar: Total 244 custodial deaths took place in police custody and judicial custody in Gujarat within the past 3 years, as per a report of the Home Department, Government of Gujarat.

In the year 2020-21, total 17 deaths took place in police custody and 82 in judicial custody leading to a total number of 99 custodial deaths in the state. 12 deaths in police custody and 53 deaths in judicial custody happened in 2019-20 and 13 deaths in police custody and 67 deaths in judicial custody took place in 2018-19 in the state.

Actions were taken against 4 PSI, 13 sub police-inspector, 4 ASI, 15 police constables such as dismissal, salary cut, departmental investigation, jail custody by filing a crime under section 302 in the state regarding custodial deaths, as informed by Home department of the state. In one case of custodial death in Surat, a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh was given by the state government.

As argued by the Police, the reason behind custodial death can be illness, delay in treatment, psychological problems, old-age and poor lifestyle apart from torcher and battering. The Home Department of state claimed that the compensation for any deceased prisoner is not pending out of the appeals received till now. DeshGujarat