48 prisoners died in state jails: government submits report to HC
Bengaluru: As many as 48 prisoners have died unnaturally in the state prisons since 2012 to 2017. 31 cases are pending and compensation was paid only in one case, the State government has said in a statement submitted to the Karnataka High Court.
This came in response to the court’s query in a PIL petition, which was initiated suo motu by the High Court, based on the apex court’s direction on the issue of unnatural deaths of under trials or convicts in various prisons.
Details of the case
In compliance with Supreme Court orders, the HC had directed the state government to submit a statement on the number of unnatural deaths in prisons from 2012 to October 2017 across the state.
The bench took up suo motu compliance of various directions issued by the SC on September 15, in relation to unnatural deaths and inhuman conditions in 1,382 prisons across the country.
Year – Unnatural deaths
2012- 9
2013 -3
2014-15
2015- 9
2016 -5
2017- 7
Total -48
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
