The Haryana government has announced a ₹7.5 lakh compensation package for deaths occurring in police custody due to torture or negligence, with 50% to be recovered from guilty officers.

  • ₹7.5 lakh compensation for deaths due to torture, assault, or negligence in custody.
  • At least 50% of the amount will be recovered from the guilty officer's salary.
  • The policy follows intervention by the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC).
  • Natural deaths and deaths during escape attempts are excluded.

In a landmark move to ensure accountability, the Haryana Government has officially notified a policy providing ₹7.5 lakh compensation for deaths occurring in police custody due to torture, inhuman treatment, or gross negligence. This policy marks a significant shift in how the state addresses custodial violence and systemic failures within the law enforcement machinery.

The decision follows a rigorous intervention by the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC). The commission took serious note of a complaint filed by Parvesh Sharma, a resident of Pinjore, who alleged illegal detention and third-degree torture despite having regular bail. The HHRC emphasized that departmental inquiries alone are insufficient to address the gravity of human rights violations involving custodial torture.

Read Also:West Bengal: 3 Dead, Including 2 Students, in Train-Van Crash

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this policy introduces a direct financial deterrent for misconduct. By mandating that at least 50% of the compensation be recovered from the salary of the guilty official, the state is moving beyond mere administrative warnings toward tangible personal accountability for police personnel.

This policy transforms custodial justice from a mere administrative process into a mechanism of direct financial accountability.

The policy specifies that compensation will be applicable in cases of death caused by police assault, quarrels among detainees, suicide while in custody, or negligence by medical staff on duty. However, all cases must undergo a mandatory magisterial inquiry to confirm the cause of death. Notably, the policy excludes deaths resulting from natural illnesses, natural disasters, or attempts by detainees to escape custody.

Historical Background

Custodial deaths have long been a point of contention in Indian jurisprudence. Under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Human Rights Commissions possess the statutory power to recommend relief and compensation. Haryana's new notification strengthens this legal framework by providing a clear, standardized financial remedy for victims' families.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Under what conditions is the compensation payable?
Compensation is payable if a magisterial inquiry confirms death due to torture, assault, negligence, or suicide within police custody.

2. Will the police officer be punished financially?
Yes, the policy dictates that at least 50% of the compensation amount must be recovered from the salary of the officer found guilty of the act.