CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the State Government on the death of one Ganeswar Nayak of Kendrapara district in jail custody.
Acting on a writ petition filed by Nayak’s daughter Rojalin seeking compensation for his death due to negligence, the division bench comprising Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BN Mohapatra has asked the Government to file response in two weeks.
Rojalin filed the petition seeking a direction to the State Government to pay a compensation of ` 4 lakh as her father died in custody on September 9, 2001.
According to the petitioner, her father was arrested by Kendrapara Police in 2000-2001 for allegedly murdering his wife. He was lodged in Kendrapara sub-jail and subsequently shifted to Cuttack Circle Jail at Choudwar.
While in Choudwar jail he developed insanity. He had to be shifted to the jail hospital and was bound by chains. However, on September 9, 2001, he was found dead hanging from the grill of the window of the jail hospital. He had apparently strangulated himself with the chain he was bound to.
The petitioner alleged that her father could manage to commit suicide due to the negligent action of the jail authorities. As the State was required to protect the life of her father, it is liable to pay compensation for having failed in its duty.