Custodial death in Garo Hills
HILLONG: Two months after the death of Balsan Marak(20) in judicial custody, both the administrative inquiry headed by PW Ingty and magisterial probe by DD Shira into the death of Balsan Marak are in limbo as the officials heading the probe are not able to proceed in the absence of toxicological and FSL reports.
Toxicology will reveal the extent of damage in the body by examination of blood samples.
It was on May 20 that Balsan, who was arrested by police in connection with the torture of 12 young girls in early part of May, died while he was in judicial custody after being brought from the Tura district jail to the Civil Hospital for medical treatment.
Strangely, both the magisterial inquiry report by SC Sadhu, and the probe report by the State Women’s Commission on the assault on 12 girls did not mention anything about Balsan.
Both the reports were submitted to the Government recently.
After the custodial death of Balsan, the Government ordered two probes, one headed by the magistrate DD Shira and another by PW Ingty who is the Commissioner of Garo Hills divisions.
The deadline to complete the probes was one month, but now with two months completing, the probes have not made any headway in the absence of scientific reports to ascertain the cause of death.
The terms of reference for the inquiries were to ascertain the circumstances of the death through medical and other related evidences, both factual and circumstantial, the role of the police, if any, which could have led to the death of Balsan while in judicial custody, keeping in mind some allegations made, or any other matter connected with the enquiry.
Ingty said that he was still waiting for the toxicological and FSL reports to complete his task.
Earlier, the magistrate Shira had written to District Medial and Health Officer to provide the toxicology and viscera reports.
According to sources, since the state does not have an upgraded Forensic Science Laboratory, the reports are sent outside the state for scientific analysis.
Earlier, the post-mortem report of Balsan remained inconclusive, and subsequently the victim’s blood samples were sent for toxicology analysis. As per the post mortem report, blood samples should be further examined by way of toxicology as the post-mortem report was not able to ascertain the cause of death.
The report, however, had mentioned about the injury in the elbow of the deceased.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had earlier rejected the demand for a judicial probe into the custodial death by saying that the Government will wait for the reports of both the Magistrate and Commissioner of Divisions which, however, is apparently a long wait.
On June 18, after the intervention of the family members, the High Court of Meghalaya had directed the respondents, Tura SP Mukesh Singh, additional SP Bruno Marak, investigating officer P C Marak and the SP’s personal security officer Govind Newar to file their affidavits in relation with the custodial death.
Besides seeking a compensation of over Rs 20 lakh and punishment to the erring police personnel, the relatives also sought an independent probe into the custodial death by CBI.
The Court had also asked the West Garo Hills district administration to provide post mortem report and the death certificate to the family of the youth.