The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of allegations concerning custodial deaths in Chhatarpur district. A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Jain and Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari issued notices to the state government and senior police officials, seeking their responses in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed on the matter.
Notices Issued to Key Authorities
The court directed notices to the state government, the Director General of Police (DGP), the Inspector General (IG) of Sagar Range, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Chhatarpur, and the station house officers (SHOs) of Rajnagar, Chandla, and Gaurihar police stations. Additionally, the bench ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the concerned police stations.
Details of the PIL
The PIL was filed by Khajuraho-based social worker Peeyush Dixit, alleging that four individuals died while in police custody in Chhatarpur district over the past few months. The petitioner claimed these deaths resulted from police torture and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The petition also sought the registration of murder cases against the police personnel allegedly involved, along with preservation of CCTV footage and call records of the deceased.
Deputy Advocate General Swapnil Ganguly, appearing for the state government, informed the court that judicial inquiries had already been ordered into two of the four deaths mentioned in the petition.
Arguments Presented
Counsel for the petitioner, KC Childiyal, argued that in their responses regarding all four cases, police authorities stated the deceased had died by hanging or consuming poison. He questioned how a person in custody at a secure location like a police station could access poison or an object to hang themselves, emphasizing that this should itself be a matter of investigation.
After hearing preliminary arguments from both sides, the bench directed the respondents to file their replies and reiterated the order to preserve CCTV footage from the police stations where the alleged custodial deaths occurred. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on July 14.
