Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has sought detailed report from the Khandwa Superintendent of Police (SP) over the incident of a person in lockup room of the Mundi police station in Khandwa district.
Taking cognizance of the incident, the Commission issued notice to the SP of Khandwa district on Tuesday. Notably, 50-year-old Jageshwar who was arrested by the police on the suspicion of theft has committed suicide by hanging with the help of his scarf in the police custody.
Notably, Commission had prepared booklets over the ‘responsibility of police for the safety of a person in police custody and important safety measures’ and ‘death in police custody and responsibility of police officers’. Commission had sent these booklets to police stations.
The Commission has stated that it is clearly mentioned in these booklets that keeping people safe in the custody is the duty of police. Government is responsible for the safety and for taking care of the people in police custody. No police official has right to commit atrocities on any person in custody. It is a criminal offence according to Indian Penal Code (IPC), it added.
Commission had also given the reference of Article 14 to 32 of the Indian constitution in the booklets and had clarified the fundamental rights of the citizens. Equity before the law is depicted in the Article 14 of the constitution. The police officials should pay attention over ‘custody management’.
This is the vicarious liability of the Government to ensure the safety of the prisoner. Commission wanted a change in the working of the police in order to sensitise the police.