SHILLONG, Aug 1: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday deferred its hearing on a suo-motu PIL filed in connection with custodial deaths in Meghalaya, saying that the individual instances of the 49 cases of custodial deaths since 2012 will be examined for determination as to the state’s liability in each case.
The matter was adjourned on the last occasion 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 active consideration of the state.
“However, it does not appear that the state is ready to enhance the quantum of compensation offered,” the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew said while adding that 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 also said that the quantum of compensation 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 an earlier judgment of the court in 2017.
The matter will be heard next on August 21.
