Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the DGP, Jharkhand, calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks
The report is expected to include inquest and post-mortem reports, along with the cause of death, as well as the magisterial enquiry report
The Commission also seeks an explanation from the State Chief Secretary and DGP over the lapse of the district police not sending intimation about this death in custody within 24 hours as per its guidelines
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a man died in police custody in Deoghar district, Jharkhand on 21st May, 2025. Reportedly, he was taken from his residence to the Palajori police station for interrogation in connection with a cyber-crime. The victim’s family members have reportedly alleged that he was physically tortured in police custody, resulting in his death.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Jharkhand, calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks. It is expected to include the inquest and post-mortem reports, along with the cause of death, as well as the magisterial enquiry report.
The Commission has also taken a serious view of the district police not sending any intimation about this custodial death, required to be sent within 24 hours of the occurrence of the incident as per its guidelines to all the State and Union Territory administrations. Therefore, it has also sought an explanation for this lapse from the Chief Secretary and DGP, Jharkhand.
According to the media report carried on 22nd May, 2025, the victim’s health deteriorated during interrogation by police. He was taken to the Deoghar Sadar Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.
