Under the framework, district police chiefs will need to forward proposals within 30 days while the concerned department will get 30 days to scrutinise the same. Nagpur: The state has formally notified a compensation policy for deaths and permanent disabilities in police custody.
The home department issued the official notification on Tuesday, following Bombay high court directions in a 2014 writ petition. For permanent disability caused by physical or mental torture, or prohibited methods in custody, the policy provides Rs2 lakh for disability below 50% and Rs4 lakh for disability of 50% or more. After a custodial death, or once a medical board certifies permanent disability caused by custodial beating, the district superintendent of police or police commissioner concerned must scrutinise the case and submit a complete proposal within 30 days to the additional director general of police (Civil Rights Protection). The ADG will review the proposal before forwarding it through the director general of police to the govt, which must complete verification within 30 days, as per the official GR.
It provides Rs5 lakh to the legal heirs of a person whose death is established as resulting from police assault, torture, coercion or administrative negligence. A criminal conviction will not be required before compensation is considered in cases where police violence caused the death. An authorised medical board must certify the extent and permanence of the disability and its link to the custodial incident. The disability certificate and UDID details will also be verified. The GR also states that once sanctioned, compensation will be routed to the SP or CP in the beneficiaries’ district, who will transfer it to their verified bank accounts. If an internal inquiry finds police personnel responsible, criminal cases will be registered and the amount recovered from their salary, pension or property. The policy applies to incidents occurring after the resolution was issued.
The cabinet had approved the policy earlier this month.