Rights panel orders Rs.5 lakh compensation for custodial death

Patna, May 21 (IANS) Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has directed the state government to pay Rs.5 lakh as compensation in a case of custodial death, an official said Wednesday.

The BHRC has also directed the police to lodge a murder case and investigate it. Besides, it sought a report from Bhagalpur police about the case within two months.

Commission chairman Bilal Nazki said the family of Ram Bilash Bind, who died because of injuries inflicted either in police custody or jail, should be paid compensation by the state government within two months.

According to the complaint filed by the victims's wife before the commission, Bind, 49, was arrested June 15, 2013 for electricity theft.

A day after being sent to the central jail in Bhagalpur, he complained of pain and was referred to hospital by the jail doctor. He died the same day.

The doctor, who conducted the post-mortem examination said in his report that the victim's spleen had ruptured due to injuries inflicted by a hard and blunt object.

The victim, who used to work as a labourer, is survived by his wife and five children.