In Brief
A person died in police custody at a police station in Margao. Seven officers were charged; all acquitted of murder. Two officers (Accused Nos. 2 and 5), however, were convicted of causing death without criminal intent (Section 304 Part II IPC) and sentenced to 2-3 years. The High Court acquitted them, accepting their plea that they had left the station before death occurred. The Supreme Court reversed this, rejecting their alibi as contradicted by tampered police records. Finding the deceased was in their exclusive custody and suffered fatal injuries under their watch, the Court convicted both and imposed the maximum sentence of 10 years rigorous imprisonment, emphasizing that police breaches of duty in custodial deaths warrant severe punishment.
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