184 custodial deaths recorded in Assam since 2016-17

NHRC recommended payment of compensation of Rs 76 L

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As many as 184 custodial deaths were recorded in Assam between 2016-2017 and 2021-2022 (up to February 28, 2022).

According to sources in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), these include 36 deaths in police custody and 148 deaths in judicial custody.

No disciplinary action against/prosecution of police or other officials was recommended by the NHRC over any of the 184 custodial deaths in the State during this period of over five years.

However, the NHRC recommended payment of compensation to the next of kin with regard to 27 incidents custodial deaths in the State during this period. The total amount of compensation payment was to the tune of Rs 76 lakh.

According to NHRC data, the break-up of deaths in police custody during this period in the State is as follows: 9 deaths in 2016-2017; 11 deaths in 2017-2018; 5 deaths in 2018-2019; 2 deaths in 2019-2020; 1 death in 2020-2021; and 8 deaths in 2021-2022 (up to February 28, 2022).

The break-up of deaths in judicial custody during this period in the State is as follows: 26 in 2016-2017; 29 in 2017-2018; 30 in 2018-2019; 32 in 2019-2020; 18 in 2020-2021; and 13 in 2021-2022 (up to February 28, 2022).

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