Law does not carve out any presumption that the suicidal death puts a full point to all enquiries and police have an immunity no sooner an opinion or conclusion as to suicide is recorded. The law does not raise a presumption that the suicide was purely voluntary and that it was not abeted or instigated. A criminal liability for abetement or intimidation for conviction and sentence will have to be proved by proof to the hilt, however, said degree is not required when is required to be proved in civil law or Constitutional Tort.
While Nitin was in police custody, this Court is constrained to believe that the life in police custody would have been so strenuous, tensile and rigorous for him that he elected to end the life than to avail it under most unfavourable circumstances.
It was open for the police to rebut this possibility by proving the deceased to be a person of suicidal tendency, or by positively proving by appropriate witnesses, including police officer concerned, by filing
affidavit or by bringing any other evidence that he was not at all ill-treated.
In the present case, we are, therefore, on the facts of the case, compelled to hold that the police have 33
failed to bring on record any piece of evidence to show that things were completely normal at their end, and gravely abnormal at the end of detenue, and yet there has to be a strong logical bond between the fact of death and the police, still police have by their lapses failed to discord the said bond.
71. In the result, this Court is satisfied that the death, though suicidal, attracts a tortuous liability to the State, though such liability would not be on the same rigours and lines.
72. In case of an act of causing death deliberately, the degree of error would be on the graver side and the compensation would be raised to a very higher amount, however, being suicide, the amount of compensation would come on the lower side.
Bombay High Court
All Residents Of Santaji vs State Of Maharashtra on 2 August, 2011
Bench: A. H. Joshi, U.V. Bakre
1. Gopichand
Chandrabhan Patil,
Versus
1. State of Maharashtra,
1. One suspect Nitin Patil died in custody of police. The remand to police custody, which was last in sequence, was sought by Police for investigation of a crime registered by Police Station, Ramtek.
This petition is filed by father, mother, wife and younger brother of deceased Nitin Patil.
2. Petitioners claim various reliefs on account of 3
custodial death of Nitin Patil.
3. The factual aspects relied upon by the petitioners are summarized as follows:-
[a] In the year 2000, Nitin was waiting at the bus stop while on way to hostel at Ramtek. He was arrested by Kanhan police and was falsely implicated in six criminal cases. [b] At the time of opposing bail, the police had painted Nitin Patil as a 'habitual offender'. Therefore, Court had imposed a condition of reporting to Police Station with certain intervals, when he was released on bail in all these cases.
[c] While in the process of reporting for attendance, police at Kanhan Police Station deployed him for collecting bribe money from truck drivers. The policemen used to pay Rs.40/- per day to Nitin for the said work.
[d] One day, Nitin Patil saw Mr. Yadav, a similarly placed person, losing his life in the truck accident.
[e] Due to fear as to life, Nitin Patil left Kanhan.
[f] Nitin Patil settled in Orissa, got married there and earned his livelihood.
[g] In April, 2002, Nitin Patil came to Kanhan to attend marriage of his sister, and 4
after attending the marriage, returned to his job in Orissa.
th
[h] Nitin Patil again came back on 27 April, th
2003, and on 11 July, 2003, Kanhan police arrested him in the midnight.
[i] After arrest, following offences were registered against him:-
------------------------------------------------------ Sr. Date of Crime No. Police Sections No. arrest. Station
------------------------------------------------------
1. 12-7-03 128/03 Kanhan 401, I.P.C.
2. 14-7-03 83/03 Ramtek 457 & 380, IPC.
3. 15-7-03 117/03 Parshioni 457 & 380, IPC. ------------------------------------------------------ [j] It is seen that these offences were registered in succession, and remand to police custody was sought by the police officers in different offences registered in 2002 at different Police Stations, namely:-
------------------------------------------------------ Sr. Date of Crime No. Police Sections No. Arrest. Station
------------------------------------------------------
1. 15-7-03 95/02 Parshioni 457 & 380 IPC.
2. 16-7-03 248/02 Kamptee 457, 380, IPC.
3. 20-7-03 45/02 Ramtek 457, 380, IPC. ------------------------------------------------------ th
[k] On 11 July, 2003, arrest of Nitin Patil was done from the house for offence under Section 401 of Indian Penal Code, being a 5
member of a gang and being found in possession of an iron rod, which was shown to have been recovered.
[l] Petitioners claim that as is seen from Annex-P-14, Nitn Patil was examined by Medical Officer of Indira Gandhi Govt. th
Medical College, Nagpur, on 20 July, 2003, when he was remanded to police custody of Police Station, Ramtek. The Medical Officer has noted:-
"No evidence of injury. Complaint of
cough / cold / bodyache."
[Quoted from page no. 59 of the Writ Petition paper-book].
[m] In the result, from the date of arrest, th
namely 11 July, 2003, till his custodial nd
death on 22 July, 2003, Nitin Patil remained in police custody in different offences, and at times in different police stations, and lastly in police custody of Ramtek Police Station.
[n] Nitin Patil died while in police custody. The death was reported to family members. [o] Inquest Panchanama, Spot Panchanama were drawn and Post-mortem examination was conducted.
[p] Police officers from Ramtek Police Station were suspended.
[q] Crime was transferred to C.I.D., and ultimately a report informing that death 6
of Nitin Patil was suicidal was filed. No fault was attributable to police.
4. After death, the dead body reflected various injuries which are disclosed in the Post-mortem Report.
5. According to petitioners:-
[a] Whenever police had arrested Nitin Patil, initially in 2000, when he had
gone to live in Orissa for earning his
livelihood, and when he came back and
was arrested, every time police had given undue harassment to the petitioners being family members of Nitin Patil.
[b] After Nitin Patil was arrested, he was given ill-treatment, and ultimately he succumbed to death due to ill-treatment and torture.
[c] Police have made a show of suicidal death, or suicide is induced due to the one arrest, followed by other, and due
to the ill-treatment given by police to Nitin from time to time during arrests.
6. Petitioners have claimed compensation in a sum of Rs.10,00,000-00 and employment opportunity for petitioner no.4, the younger brother of deceased Nitin. The petitioners have prayed for an enquiry through Central Bureau of Investigation and registration of crime against the responsible police officers.
7
7. To substantiate his contentions, learned Adv., for the petitioners has relied upon following reported judgments:-
[1] Sube Singh Vs. State of Haryana & others [(2006) 3 SCC 178]
A N D
Nilabati Behera (Smt) alias Lalita Behera Vs. State of Orissa & others [(1993) 2 SCC 746]. Proposition :
The compensation to be awarded in public law remedy under Article 21 of the Constitution of India will be in addition to compensation by way of civil or criminal action, and a degree of proof to be required in such petition for compensation is not strict. [2] S.P.S. Rathore Vs. State of Haryana & others [(2005) 10 SCC 1].
Proposition :
Public law remedy would be exercised
if the facts and circumstances warrant. [3] Ajab Singh & another Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & others [2000 Cri. L.J. 1809].
Proposition :
When the post-mortem examination 8
indicated cause of death to be shock and haemorrhage and other evidence led by the State suggested other causes of death, prima facie it was a case of custodial torture and warranted further investigation, however, ad hoc compensation was considered just and proper in a sum of Rs. 5,00,000-00.
[4] D.K. Basu Vs. State of West Bengal [AIR 1997 SC 610].
Proposition :
As to general measures pertaining to
custodial death.
[5] Satyavatibai Anantsingh Chauhan & another Vs. State of Mah. & others [2009 (6) Mh.L.J. 1002]. Proposition :
In respect of the deceased, who was
drawing salary of Rs. 5893/- and forty years of age working as a Peon in Nagar Parishad, the Court has quantified compensation to the tune of Rs. 5,00,000-00 towards custodial death.
8. Relying upon the judgments cited by him, learned Adv. Mr. Chahande has urged that though the petitioners have claimed compensation to the tune of Rs.10,00,000/-, the reported judgments indicate that the petitioners would be entitled to receive the compensation amount to the tune 9
of Rs.2,50,000/-. He further urges that considering the reduced value of money, inflation etc., the amount of compensation be increased the double its tune, i.e., Rs.5,00,000/-, and in any case, the compensation ought not be less than the amount of Rs.5,00,000/-.
9. In so far as the aspect of suicidal death is concerned, learned Adv., for the petitioners has advanced alternate submissions that:-
[a] Even if it is a case of suicidal death, it is attributable to the ill-treatment and arrests in succession, it is liable to be held that it was not totally the voluntary act by Nitin.
[b] Due to the brutal treatment given by the policemen and successive arrests without any background and facts supporting such arrests, relying upon circumstantial evidence, it will have to be held that it is a case of suicide which is not voluntary.
[c] It is a case where due to the circumstances created around him, deceased Nitin was driven to commit suicide and hence this suicide for all legal purposes is liable to be equated to that of homicide, more so as it has occurred while in custody.
[d] Plea of police is analogous to alibi which they have to prove.
10. Learned Adv., for the petitioners, therefore, claims that even in the eventuality that death is held to 10
be suicidal, it being propelled and not voluntary, the compensation as urged by him in a sum of Rs. 5,00,000-00 may have to be granted.
11. The petition has been opposed. Affidavits-in-Reply have been filed by respondent nos.4, 5 and 6. Bunch of papers consisting of enquiry, Post-mortem Report, details of criminal cases etc. is filed. Defence of the State, in nutshell, is as hereinafter.
Affidavit of Respondent No.5
th
12. This affidavit of Respondent No.5 is sworn on 24 January, 2004 and filed on 24th February, 2004. The gist of submission contained therein is that deceased Nitin Patil had committed suicide while he was in custody of Police Station, Ramtek. He - the Assstt. Police Inspector of Police Station, Kanhan, Shri Prashant Prabhakar Kolwadkar disowns the entire responsibility.
Affidavit of Respondent No.6
13. This respondent has filed affidavit on 25th February, 2004. Gist of the affidavit can be read from para 11, which is quoted below for ready reference:- "11. ...................................... .........It is submitted that the investigation is almost completed. It is submitted that after looking to inquest Panchanama, photographs of the dead body, spot of occurrence and after 11
perusal of injury report as well as post mortem report which definitely shows that deceased Nitin Patil has committed suicide."
[Quoted from page no.105 of the Writ Petition paper-book]. This affidavit is sworn by Babanrao Bhagwanji Parate, Deputy Superintendent of Police. The date when the respondent no.6 had filed affidavit, the enquiry by Sub-Divisional Magistrate was not completed.
Affidavit of Respondent No.4
14. This affidavit of Police Inspector - Shri Shamrao Dajibaji Baraskar of Police Station, Ramtek, was filed on 5th March, 2004. Respondent no.4 also reiterates what has been asserted by the respondent no.6.
Additional Affidavit of Respondent No.6
15. Additional Affidavit is filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, on 8th March, 2004. In this affidavit, he has reiterated what has been asserted in earlier affidavits.
16. Apart from denial referred to in various affidavits filed by respondent nos. 4,5 and 6, summary of contentions is that:-
nd
[a] On 22 July, 2003, Nitin was in Police 12
Custody Remand of Investigating Officer of Ramtek Police Station.
[b] In the evening of the date of incident of suicide, Nitin was the only accused in
custody after 15.00 hours.
[c] On that day, there was no guard assigned with the Lockup Duty.
[d] Since there was a programme of visit of Hon'ble Minister Shri Anil Deshmukh, most of the constables were deployed on Bandobast duty.
[e] Asstt. Police Sub-Inspector Shri Bhede had seen the accused alive between 1400 st
hours and 1730 hours on 21 July, 2003 and he was seen sitting on the platform [Ota] in the custody.
[f] The electricity was not available between 18.45 hours and 19.00 hours in
the locality where police station is located, including in the Police Station. [g] Police Constable Kailash noticed Nitin in a hanging position in the latrine with a strip of carpet.
The respondent nos. 4, 5 and 6, therefore, maintain it to be a case of suicidal death.
17. The petitioners have filed a Rejoinder and annexed thereto various statements of witnesses which were recorded in the process of enquiry conducted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate in relation to the custodial death of Nitin Patil. Petitioners have highlighted the circumstances appearing in the Inquest Panchanama, the observations in the Post-mortem Examination Report, and have tried to 13
demonstrate that the description of the dead body, the blood oozing from the injuries to the toes and the blood which was oozing from the mouth indicated it to be a case of homicide.
18. To support his arguments, learned APP has urged the following points:-
[a] Present is an unambiguous case of suicidal death.
[b] The report furnished by the Lecturer in Forensic Medicine, who has conducted autopsy, unambiguously discloses that the cause of death is "asphyxia due to strangulation" caused by constriction 'individually.'
[c] There was nobody on duty to attend the lock up. Police personnel were busy in Bandobast duty and there was no opportunity or occasion for any police officers to give to the deceased any ill- treatment or torture.
[d] Every custodial death does not give rise to receive monetary compensation and other similar relief.
[e] Present being a case of suicide, there is no wrong attributable to the State.
19. To oppose the petition, learned APP has placed reliance on following reported precedents:- [1] Sube Singh Vs. State of Haryana & others [(2006) 3 SCC 178].
14
[2] D.K. Basu Vs. State of West Bengal [AIR 1997 SC 610].
[3] Chandravati Jambuvant Tari Vs. State of Goa & another [1995 Cri. L.J. 1367].
Based on these submissions, State has prayed for dismissal of petition.
20. Now this Court has to consider following questions:-
[A] What is the nature of death of Nitin nd
Patil occurred on 22 July, 2003 while in police custody of Police Station, Ramtek, homicidal or suicidal?
[B] Are the petitioners entitled to receive amount of compensation and other relief? [C] In case, answer to Point 'B' is in affirmative, what shall be the amount of compensation?
[D] What amount of costs shall be awarded?
21. In the light of rival submissions, it becomes necessary for us to scrutinize the following factors:- [a] The cause of death disclosed in the Post- mortem Examination Report.
[b] Possibility of opinion other than one expressed in Post-mortem Notes.
[c] Police papers furtherance to which Nitin Patil was arrested for the purpose of examining as to what investigation was conducted.
15
Cause of Death
22. The copy of Post-mortem Examination Notes is placed on record by the petitioners at Annex.P-22. On reading it, we had an apprehension that the text was not correctly copied. We had, therefore, directed learned APP to produce a typed copy, duly scrutinized by the Medical Officer, who had conducted the Post-mortem Examination. Learned APP has furnished a fresh typed copy of Post-mortem Examination Notes and it is kept below the same annexure on record, and is paged 80-A to 80-H. Contents of this typed copy of Post-mortem Notes are not disputed by the petitioners. We have, therefore, relied upon said typed copy as well.
23. The opinion given in Post-mortem Notes reads as below:-
"OPINION
i) Probable time since death (keep all factors including observations at Inquest) :- Date of death 21/07/03 at about 7.45 p.m.
ii) Cause and manner of death :- The cause of death to the best of my knowledge and belief is:-
a) Immediate cause :-
Asphyxia.
b) Due to :-
Constriction around the neck by means
of ligature.
c) Which of the injuries are Ante- mortem/post-mortem duration if Ante- 16
mortem? :-
All mentioned injuries (7) are Ante- mortem age stated.
d) Manner of causation of injuries :- Injury no.7 of column 7 (B) :- manner
hanging.
e) Whether injuries (individually or collectively) are to cause death in ordinary course of nature or not :-
Yes, injury No.7 of column 7 (B) individually."
[Quoted from page nos. 80-G and 80-H of the writ petition paper book].
24. It is seen from record that when this petition was heard on earlier occasion, at earlier stages, this Court thought it proper that a demonstration of the manner in which dead body was seen hanged be got done by forensic expert, and he should opine as to whether the hanging leading to suicidal death of Nitin could take place. This th
Court had, therefore, passed order on 7 April, 2006, which reads as follows:-
"Heard.
In pursuance of earlier order dated
9.3.2006, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor has placed on record a communication addressed to his office by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nagpur, and along with it he has also placed on record a letter dated 28.3.2006 written by Dr. P.G. Dikshit, to Deputy Superintendent of Police. As per said letter, it appears that recreation and reconstruction of a scene of incidence with the assistance of forensic experts is possible. The learned APP states that the necessary exercise in this respect will be completed within a period of eight weeks from today. In view of this, we direct the 17
respondents to undertake the exercise of recreation and reconstruction of scene of incidence so as to assist this Court to reach any definite conclusion in this respect to find out whether the death was homicidal or suicidal. The exercise be completed within a period of eight weeks from today and report be submitted on record within that time.
Place the matter after eight weeks."
25. Furtherance to said exercise, re-construction of the scene was done and a report has been furnished which is singed by two experts, namely Dr. P.G. Dikshit, Professor & Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Dr. Shrigirwar, Asstt. Professor. They have narrated the manner in which the demonstration was conducted and have opined as follows:-
"We opine that :-
[1] Cause of death is hanging.
[2] Hanging is suicidal."
26. We had orally directed learned APP Mr. Thakre, who had argued the case when this Writ Petition was heard by the Bench [Coram : A.H. Joshi & A.R. Joshi,JJ.], to call and ask Dr. M.S. Vyawahare, M.D., Lecturer in Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Nagpur, to remain present to explain various entries made in the Post-mortem Notes. When the said doctor was called to explain if injury, and the particular injury, which has led to his opinion that the death subject-matter is suicidal, Dr. Vyawahare has segregated the grounds leading to the conclusion in favour of suicide and against homicidal death, 18
which are seen in the Post-mortem Examination Report. In so far as injuries to the toes and legs are concerned, those were ante mortem, almost fresh, and have been reported by the doctors conducting post-mortem to be those which may have occurred immediately before the death.
27. Dr. Vyawahare has informed the Court on the basis of his expertise as to the indications and evidence which lead to a conclusion as to homicidal hanging or suicidal hanging. Dr. Vyawahare gave us oral explanation and illustrations.
28. Questions were asked to the expert in presence of learned Advocate for the petitioners. Learned Advocate for petitioners was called upon to express queries, if any, to the Doctor who was present or put some questions himself or with the help of the Court. Learned Advocate for petitioners has clarified that he was satisfied with the answers and has nothing more to explore, in view of his submissions.
29. We found it necessary that said elucidation should come on record.
nd
We had, therefore, passed order on 22 November, 2011. Text thereof is as follows:-
"1. We have heard this petition for quite some time. We had even called the doctor who had conducted the post-mortem examination.
19
2. Stand of the State Govt., is that the death, subject-matter, is suicidal.
3. We, therefore, direct the respondent-State to file an affidavit of one amongst the doctors, who have conducted the post-mortem examination, on the point as to the facts emerging from the autopsy, and what was seen by the doctor, on the basis of which he opines that:-
[a] The death, subject-matter, is
suicidal.
[b] He rules out the possibility
of the death, subject-matter,
being homicidal.
[c] Any other special
circumstances which ought to
come to notice of Court
towards the reasons of death.
th
4. Affidavit be filed on or before 26 November, 2010. Copy thereof be supplied to learned Adv., for the petitioners.
5. List the petition for further th
hearing on 29 November, 2010.
6. Copy of this order be supplied to learned APP free of cost for due compliance."
30. As noted earlier, this Court had directed Dr. Vyawahare to file affidavit, which has been filed. After the said affidavit was filed, we had asked learned Adv. Mr. Chahande to choose if he wants to cross-examine Dr. Vyawahare.
Learned Adv. Mr. Chahande has in very clear terms declined any need of cross-examination, however, informed that the petitioner no.1 shall file an affidavit, which is th
filed on 15 December, 2010.
th
31. In the affidavit filed by the petitioners on 15 December, 2010, which is at page 412, the petitioners have 20
raised issues that:-
[a] A strip of carpet cannot be sliced in absence of a blade, while no such thing was found in the inquest.
[b] The victim was without strength, whatsoever, and could have never hanged himself.
[c] The hanging, therefore, could not be purely suicidal.
32. From the evidence in the shape of Post-mortem Examination Report, opinion and affidavit of Dr. Vyawahare, now placed on record, it is proved that death of Nitin Patil in police custody is a consequence of suicidal exercise by him.
33. As to the immediate cause of death, we are satisfied that it is "asphyxia due constriction of neck due to hanging," and that the hanging is suicidal. Why should Nitin commit suicide?
34. This Court has now to consider:- [a] Whether the circumstances, as urged by learned Adv. Mr. Chahande, and whether
based on those circumstances, it would
be possible for the petitioners to urge that notwithstanding that it is a case
of suicide, being a custodial death, is actionable for award of compensation?
21
[b] Is it a case of suicide which turns out to be culpable being propelled due to
circumstances in which the deceased Nitin was kept, was ill-treated, and harassed by one arrest followed by another?
35. It is clear that for entire period, suspect Nitin Patil was kept in police custody based on arrest effected one after the other under three offences registered in past and three registered afresh.
36. Therefore, it was necessary for the police to prove as to what was the investigation that was carried out, by demonstrating it from the Station Diaries. Moreover, the respondents were under obligation to prove as to what was the source of intelligence which required the police officers from different Police Stations to have remand of Nitin to police custody.
37. We had orally directed learned APP to produce the papers pertaining to investigation of FIRs in which Nitin was arrested. This record was called and learned APP has produced the same for perusal of Court.
38. It is seen from record that the police came in th
action in the night of 12 July, 2003 at 2230 hours. According to them, they received secret information that a gang, of which Nitin Patil was a member, was about to commit 22
an offence. The patrolling party accompanied by Panch witnesses moved to the locality known as "Shivnagar, Kanhan", and found Nitin and one person hiding themselves. The companion of Nitin Patil fled away, while Nitin Patil was arrested. Arrest Panchanama, Spot Panchanama etc., were conducted. Nitin was found to have possessed, concealed near his waist, an iron rod described as "1 mm thick and 2 ft. long." He continued under investigation and police th
custody till 16 July, 2003.
39. Nitin was in parallel police custody of Kanhan th th
Police Station between 13 and 16 July, 2003 in Crime No. 117/03 [Sections 457 and 380 of IPC], and continued in police custody of Kamptee Police Station in old Crime No. 248/02 for the offence under Sections 457 and 380 of Indian th th
Penal Code on 16 and 17 July, 2003, Crime No. 83/03 [Sections 457 and 380 of Indian Penal Code] of Ramtek Police th th
Station from 18 to 20 July, 2003, and Crime No. 45/02 [Sections 457 and 380, IPC] of Ramtek Police Station from th th
20 to 24 July, 2003 till he died.
40. Court had directed learned APP to flag mark the applications for remand and such other documents which would indicate the grounds and/or source of intelligence which has led to arrest of, or suspicion against, Nitin Patil. In different four offences which are pertaining to years 2000 and 2003 from Police Stations referred to above, though Memorandum Statements of Nitin Patil are shown to have been 23
recorded, record does not disclose the source of information which has led to his arrest. The secret informant may have to be kept in anonymity and secrecy so long police want, until conclusion of trial, however, in the case of present nature, the source of information, which has led to guide the pointer of suspicion towards the suspect - Nitin Patil, was liable to be disclosed. The said disclosure is not seen in either of the cases referred to. It is also seen that police have not placed on record along with the affidavit any reply or other material as to what was their source of information and who is that person on whose statement Nitin was regarded as a suspect.
41. It is seen from papers that either the stolen property is said to have been sold and proceeds utilized, but no efforts are shown either before arrest, during the arrest or after death of Nitin Patil, as to whether trace of purchaser of stolen property, its appropriation, destruction etc., has been taken.
42. It was imperative for the police to have produced said evidence; lest their conduct falls short of justification of arrest.
43. As we see, a peculiar circumstance, which is vivid, and is not required to be highlighted, is, namely, how the arrest of Nitin Patil began.
The story that secret information was received and 24
patrolling party moved to Shivnagar would be ordinarily and readily believed. The story thereafter smacks of ill- intentions, and depicts doubt. A habitual offender, as said by police, is found to possess a rod of 1 mm thick and 2 ft. long, and said possession being in the night hours is considered to be "a preparation to commit offence and the suspect being in a condition of about to commit an offence."
44. We anticipate a possibility of ingenuity by which one may commit a burglary by use of a trivial weapon as police call it a rod of 1 mm thick and 2 ft long, which would match with the thickness of an ordinary ball pen we normally use, or even thicker than that. This situation, instead of leading to a conclusion favourable to prosecuting agency and the State, creates a strong suspicion about the entire act of police of initially arresting Nitin Patil.
45. May be that police wanted to arrest him, somewhat may pick him up, keep him behind bars for a few days, and use that time for preparation of investigation in other matters, whether such conduct is justifiable is a different matter, which, at this stage, may be said apt, however, even the investigation carried out lateron does not reveal that when all four FIRs were registered, those were against unknown offenders. It was the duty of respondents to prove with reference to each case as to at what point of time in the process of investigation either prior to Nitin's first th
arrest done on 12 July, 2003, and until he was arrested on 25
third and fourth occasions by Ramtek Police Station, the source of information had fructified into a positive knowledge of commission of offence, and as to how his arrest, police custody and further detention was justified.
46. The conduct of police in failing to furnish this information, or let it reveal from record only leads to a conclusion that arrest of Nitin Patil was casually effected, and he was ill-treated in such a manner, which was latent, but surfaced through the result, i.e., Nitin Patil's act of committing suicide.
47. The circumstances, which prevailed during Nitin Patil was in police custody of different Police Stations, are a matter of sheer personal knowledge. Nitin Patil was not dealt with in third degree or any other torture, and he remained in normal mood, is a matter, if be a fact, to be proved by the Police Officers concerned in whose police custody Nitin Patil was, for and behalf of each police - Investigating Officer concerned.
48. The universal doctrine that the matters of personal knowledge ought to be proved by the person concerned which is incorporated in Section 106 of the Evidence Act, is a mandatory rule of evidence. Its rigours are far sterner when it is applied in case of a liability of State in matters of Constitutional Tort like the present one. Rule in its operation, emerging from Section 106, is not having a sober 26
and softer presentation like in a criminal trial, where proof beyond a shadow of reasonable doubt is required as a mandatory rule.
The State is not protected by any immunity, nor any presumption operates in favour of the State.
49. In the result, this Court is left to draw an inference that the arrest and persistent continuation of suspect Nitin Patil in police custody was done by the police in exercise of colourable right of statutory powers of law and order, and of law of enforcement in Criminal Jurisdiction, which they had, however, it can be for motive which smacks of being ulterior, at least it lacks due diligence, bona fides, and basic respect to the rights of the citizens.
50. A suspect, however, habitual offender he be, and may have been so branded by virtue of his past record, does not forfeit to the sovereignty of the State or to powers of police all his rights and liberties, and in no case his right of integrity of his corpse as a human being.
51. It has to be noted that arrest and thereafter remaining in police custody is not a cheer or a joyous trip. Even an offender, who, by his being habit, secures a reservation in the custody or in the jail, too does not seek an entry in custody by way of an option or a joy. What he receives in reward to felony, yet entry and stay in the 27
custody is always a matter of depravation and misery.
52. This Court has exerted to visualize as to what must have happened and what has led the suspect Nitin to commit suicide. The environment in the custody is liable to be believed, and presumed for that matter, that he was confronted with the situation of resorting to elect between the life and death by suicide, and it is conclusive that he has elected the death by suicide than the life. Such a stern decision would be possible by a prisoner or even by any individual human whenever, due to the circumstances around him, he finds end of life to be rescue than the agonies of life, who has dragged us in speculation, those who are privy, and who alone know the facts, is the policemen and the State. Respondents, therefore, had a burden to prove that the suspect was a person of weak mind or a person having suicidal tendency, and in spite of that, everything was normal, he had committed suicide and police was in no way responsible.
53. When young man of around 23 years, happily married, claiming himself to be innocent and who remains in police custody for a long time succumbs to death which police repeatedly and in an echo urge it to be suicide, the questions, which as a necessary fallout, arise are:- [a] Was he so fed up that he expected and feared to be behind bars indefinitely?
[b] Did he not have any hope of ray of 28
liberty?
[c] Was he provided with legal aid?
[d] Was he provided any counselling? [e] Was he taken to any psychologist, or a Psychiatrist?
[f] Was he a person of stubborn attitude? [g] Was he under depression or other symptoms of psychosis?
[h] Why a young man, happy in his life, should embrace suicidal death?
[i] Why he should elect death to life?
53. Any of these or similar questions did not arise in the mind of the Police. They simply did the ritual of arresting him repeatedly.
55. Law does not carve out any presumption that the suicidal death puts a full point to all enquiries and police have an immunity no sooner an opinion or conclusion as to suicide is recorded. The law does not raise a presumption that the suicide was purely voluntary and that it was not abeted or instigated.
56. A criminal liability for abetement or intimidation for conviction and sentence will have to be proved by proof to the hilt, however, said degree is not required when is required to be proved in civil law or Constitutional Tort.
57. As alleged by the petitioners and though denied by the respondents, no immunity or a person, in law, favours 29
the police for the Court to believe that the suspect has received fine hospitality and entertainment in the confinement. Undoubtedly, the suspect Nitin Patil was there for custodial interrogation. Though a judicial notice of the fact that the suspect was ill-treated cannot be taken, yet contrary too is not a proposition of judicial notice that he was not ill-treated.
58. Considering that whatever way the suspect was treated while in police custody is a matter of sheer personal knowledge of police.
59. Once it is conclusive that the death is suicidal, the ball to prove that there was nothing untoward which could lead the suspect to commit suicide would roll into the court of the police which the respondents have failed to discharge.
60. While Nitin was in police custody, this Court is constrained to believe that the life in police custody would have been so strenuous, tensile and rigorous for him that he elected to end the life than to avail it under most unfavourable circumstances.
61. It was open for the police to rebut this possibility by proving the deceased to be a person of suicidal tendency, or by positively proving by appropriate witnesses, including police officer concerned, by filing 30
affidavit or by bringing any other evidence that he was not at all ill-treated.
62. It cannot be presumed that the different third degree methods with which the police deal with the suspects do essentially need a positive evidence thereof that too to be brought by petitioners. All that must have happened behind the bars is a matter of positive knowledge of police and positively a matter of the lack of knowledge of rest of the world.
63. As directed by this Court, the case diaries have been produced. Upon observation, we find that the case diaries do not disclose:-
[a] The statements of the persons from whom the intelligence relating to the offence was received and was recorded.
[b] Any specific steps taken by the Police Officers during the period for which police custody of the suspect was asked. The memorandum, on the basis of which police custody remand was sought, does not, in any manner, justify the grounds on which such custody was sought.
64. In the given situation, but for that, it is not a deliberate act of the police to kill Nitin Patil, it would definitely not be a murder. It would even not amount to a culpable homicide not amounting to murder, since police may not be presumed to know that the act which they commit would 31
result in driving a person to commit suicide. The act of the police is bound to attract civil liability towards damages. Hence they failed to prove their having acted in such a manner which would lead the suspect to end his life.
65. The background in which the claim for compensation is raised is ill-treatment during custody, to which the petitioners have no access, and do not have opportunity to tender any evidence better than the fact that the record does not justify arrest and a logical submission that one would not prefer death to the life while in police custody when the situation around the suspect is normal.
66. The abnormality on account of ill-treatment or otherwise, including harassment owing to persistent continuation of police custody will have to be construed as a ground impelling the suicide. Had the suspect committed suicide like any other suicide in the society while in the home or elsewhere, however, except in police custody, the State would ordinarily not have any nexus.
67. In the present case, the death, may be due to suicide, is in police custody, and there exists a logical relationship between the act of State and the death. While it is urged by the State that claiming compensation for a suicidal death is too a remote cause, and is not attributable to any wrong by the State, a contrary conclusion that the suicidal death in custody will stand on 32
par with suicide elsewhere is as well a too far stretched and far extended argument.
68. While in general parlance and in the welfare concept, even in motor accidents and other acts of fatal accidents, the concept of 'No Fault Liability' is emerging, attempting to keep a track with the doctrine of 'Strict Liability' by analogous principle ought not come into play when the death occurs while in police custody.
69. Being a matter of judicial notice, the fact that somebody has to be in police custody itself creates a grave psychological trauma. Existence of a trauma will have to be accepted as a rule, and where nothing wrong happens, the trauma would not result in actionable claim, however, something grave, such as depravation takes places, the trauma and its effects on the mind of the detenue will have to be presumed. Upon such assumption, it shall suffice for the claimant to prove that somebody was unduly kept in police custody, aggravating the trauma and as its consequence, being a matter of sheer personal knowledge and privy as far as the police is concerned, they shoulder the burden of proving that the things around the detenue were normal, and yet nothing, except something sheer personal to the detenue is the cause of suicide.
70. In the present case, we are, therefore, on the facts of the case, compelled to hold that the police have 33
failed to bring on record any piece of evidence to show that things were completely normal at their end, and gravely abnormal at the end of detenue, and yet there has to be a strong logical bond between the fact of death and the police, still police have by their lapses failed to discord the said bond.
71. In the result, this Court is satisfied that the death, though suicidal, attracts a tortuous liability to the State, though such liability would not be on the same rigours and lines.
72. In case of an act of causing death deliberately, the degree of error would be on the graver side and the compensation would be raised to a very higher amount, however, being suicide, the amount of compensation would come on the lower side.
73. Considering that the matter is old and further loss of time in diverting the party to a Civil Court or further deeper enquiry into the case would lead to aggravating injustice.
74. We, therefore, treat the case to be one where the suspect would be entitled to minimum wages in his life wherever he works, which would be around Rs.60/- per day at relevant time, and considering the dependence of family members, it would be around Rs. 45/- per day. We accordingly 34
calculate the compensation. It would come to 45x25x18, which will be the ordinary multiplier. The amount of compensation will, thus, work out to Rs.2,57,160-00 [rupees two lakhs fifty seven thousand one hundred and sixty only].
75. Being a lump sum payment, we deduct an amount of Rs.57,160-00 [rupees fifty seven thousand one hundred and sixty only], and direct that the balance compensation shall carry interest at the rate of six per cent per annum. Out of the total amount, a sum of Rs.3,00,000-00 [rupees three lakhs only] be kept in a Fixed Deposit in any nationalized Bank for payment to the respondent nos. 3 and 4. The accrued interest be paid to the petitioner nos. 1 and 2.
76. Costs of Rs.10,000-00 [rupees ten thousand only] be paid to the petitioners.
JUDGE JUDGE -0-0-0-0-
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