Meghalaya High Court notice to state government on custodial death

Shillong: Meghalaya High Court issued notices today to the state government and West Garo Hills district senior police officials in connection with the custodial death of a 20-year-old youth last month. A division bench headed by Chief Justice P C Pant and Justice T N K Singh, which heard a writ petition filed by the family members of Balsan Marak yesterday, in the notice asked all the respondents to file their reply within a month.The respondents included district superintendent of police Mukesh Singh, additional superintendent of police Bruno Marak, investigating officer P C Marak and the SP's personal security officer Govind Newar.The petitioners have sought the court's direction for an independent inquiry by CBI into the sudden and mysterious death of 20 year-old Balsan on May 20 while serving a 14-day judicial custody at Tura in West Garo Hills district.They also sought a direction for constituting the state human rights commission in the state which would deal with cases of human rights violation by the authorities.Balsan and four others were arrested on May 13 for their alleged role in confining and torturing 12 young women. Police had registered a case on this.Since it was brought to the Court's notice that the post mortem report and the death certificate was not issued to the youth's family members till date, the HC has also directed the district deputy commissioner to hand over a copy of the documents to the petitioner.The youth's family in their petition has also sought compensation of Rs 21 lakh from the state government, besides punishment to those involved in the alleged torture of Balsan.