Shillong, Aug 1: High Court of Meghalaya has asked the government to decide on the enhanced compensation for the relatives of victims of custodial deaths.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the court said the matter was adjourned last time since it was submitted on behalf of the state that the issue of enhanced compensation for those who died in custody in the state since 2012 was under consideration of the state.
“However, it does not appear that the state is ready to enhance the quantum of compensation offered. Accordingly, it has to be assessed whether the compensation offered by the notification issued by the state is adequate; and, thereupon, for appropriate compensation to be directed to be paid to the next of kin of such of the persons who are found to have suffered unnatural death while in custody”, the court said.
The matter will appear after three weeks.
The state has to assess the compensation for the individual instances of the 49 cases of custodial deaths since 2012.
“The quantum will also be decided upon by taking into consideration the precedent of an award of Rs 15 lakh in a case of unnatural death covered by a judgment of this Court of the year 2017”, the court said.
The matter will come up for hearing on August 21.
