This report, published in 1991, is about the custodial death of Jagan Nath, a 34-year-old peon cum chowkidar, who, along with another individual was picked up on May 1 and brought to the Lahori Gate Police Station. While the second individual was released the next morning, Jagan Nath was kept in custody till the afternoon. He collapsed in the afternoon in police custody and was brought to St. Stephen’s hospital in the evening. He died on May 10.
On the morning of May 2, when Jagan’s father came to know that his son had been picked up by the Lahori Gate Police Station, he immediately rushed there and saw his son in a bad state. The constable Anil Kumar asked for a bribe of 500 then increased it to 5000 for Jagan’s release. Jagan was also beaten in front of his father by the constable. Jagan started vomiting blood and became unconscious. Jagan was eventually admitted to St Stephen’s around evening. The family refused money offered by the police for Jagan’s medical expenses.
No daily diary entry or FIR WAS recorded against Jagan. There was no record of the time Jagan spent in prison. The S.H.O. too claims to have no knowledge about the incident. However, Jagan’s death is undeniably a custodial death brought about by corruption in police ranks. This report is a strong critique of the high-handedness of the police.
To download the report, click below:
A Murder in Police Custody: Lahori Gate Police Station
