The Delhi High Court awarded Rs 18.44 lakh compensation to the father of a 19-year-old who died in police custody, holding the State constitutionally liable. The Court ruled that custodial deaths, including suicide, reflect a failure of the State’s duty to protect life.
Today, On 19th December, Supreme Court agreed to hear a female lawyer’s plea alleging shocking 14-hour illegal detention and custodial sexual assault by police officials. The bench said serious allegations warranted examination and issued notice while directing preservation of CCTV footage evidence.
The Supreme Court strongly criticised the Centre and several States for not complying with its 2020 order mandating CCTV installation in all police stations, calling custodial deaths a serious “blot on the system”. The Court has granted three weeks for compliance, failing which senior officials will have to personally explain the delay.
