Chhattisgarh High Court: No 2-Year Gap for Second Maternity Leave

• The Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the custodial death of Shravan in Chhattisgarh.
• The Court rejected the State officials' explanation for not registering a criminal case, terming it a 'cover-up story'.
• The Court directed the Chhattisgarh government to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to Shravan's family.
• The decision sets an important precedent for future cases involving custodial deaths and highlights the need for increased scrutiny and accountability of state authorities.

We are of the firm opinion that the ends of justice require that the investigation into the circumstances leading to the custodial death of Shri Shravan (Deceased) be entrusted to the CBI and that all officials found responsible for the custodial violence, upon completion of the investigation, be proceeded against and prosecuted in accordance with law.

The Supreme Court's decision to order a CBI probe into the custodial death of Shravan is a stark rebuke to the Chhattisgarh State authorities, who have been accused of attempting to cover up their role in the incident. The Court's findings are a testament to its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.

In its order, the Court rejected the State officials' explanation that no action was taken because the judicial inquiry report had not reached the police. Instead, it termed their stand as a 'cover-up story' designed to deceive the Court. This move is significant, as it highlights the Court's willingness to scrutinize the actions of state authorities and hold them accountable for their misconduct.

The Court's decision to entrust the investigation to the CBI is also noteworthy. By doing so, it has ensured that a thorough and impartial probe will be conducted into the circumstances surrounding Shravan's death.

The Chhattisgarh State authorities have been accused of a pattern of misconduct in custodial death cases. The Court's order highlights this issue, noting that despite a judicial inquiry into the death of Shravan, no criminal case was registered against the responsible officials. This raises serious questions about the State's commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring accountability for its actions.

The Court's findings are also significant in light of the recent Lahra Bai Tamre v State of Chhattisgarh judgment, which dealt with a similar custodial death case. The decision highlights the need for increased scrutiny and accountability of state authorities in such cases.

The impact of this order is likely to be far-reaching, setting an important precedent for future cases involving custodial deaths. It serves as a reminder that the rule of law must be upheld, even when it comes to powerful state actors.

In addition to ordering a CBI probe, the Court also directed the Chhattisgarh government to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to Shravan's family. This move is significant, as it recognizes the financial hardship faced by the family due to Shravan's death.

The Court's order notes that Shravan was the sole breadwinner of his family and died an unnatural death while in State custody. The payment of compensation is a necessary step towards providing some measure of justice to the family.

This decision highlights the importance of ensuring that victims' families receive adequate compensation for their losses. It serves as a reminder that the state has a responsibility to provide support and assistance to those affected by its actions.

Lawyers should watch for the precedent set by this order, which may lead to increased scrutiny and accountability of state authorities in custodial death cases.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court orders