NEW DELHI — In a stern rebuke to state authorities over police misconduct and official inaction, the Supreme Court of India ordered an immediate Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the custodial death of a 34-year-old man in Chhattisgarh. The Court also ordered the state government to pay ₹25 lakh in interim compensation to the victim’s family and condemned top police leadership for orchestrating what it termed a deliberate cover-up.
Bench Rejects State's "Patently False" Explanations
A two-judge Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the order while hearing an appeal (Lahra Bai Tamre & Ors. v. State of Chhattisgarh & Ors.) brought by the victim's widow and two minor daughters.
The deceased, Shravan Suryavanshi, was taken into police custody on January 18, 2024, under the Chhattisgarh Excise Act for allegedly possessing six liters of local Mahua liquor. He was transferred to Bilaspur Central Jail, where his condition rapidly deteriorated. He died at a government hospital four days later on January 22.
A post-mortem examination revealed multiple physical injuries, including a critical scalp laceration caused by a hard, blunt object, alongside severe contusions on his neck and thigh. Forensic reports concluded that he succumbed to cardio-respiratory arrest stemming from complications caused by the head trauma.
Despite a judicial magistrate’s inquiry under Section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) confirming in July 2024 that the death resulted from physical violence, state police failed to register a First Information Report (FIR) or prosecute any officials.
Before the apex court, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Chhattisgarh argued that criminal proceedings were delayed because law enforcement had not formally received a copy of the magistrate’s inquiry report.
Rejecting this defense, the Supreme Court described the state's justification as "patently false, wholly reprehensible," and a deliberate attempt to "pull the wool over the Court's eyes."
Escalation from High Court Order
The victim's family originally approached the High Court of Chhattisgarh seeking criminal prosecution of the errant officers and ₹50 lakh in monetary relief. While the High Court acknowledged that Shravan died due to violence endured while in custody, it awarded a nominal sum of ₹1 lakh to the family without ordering the registration of an FIR or an independent investigation.
Overturning the High Court’s limited relief, the Supreme Court held that nominal compensation in cases of grave human rights violations in state custody is unacceptable.
"The ends of justice require that the investigation into the circumstances leading to the custodial death of Shri Shravan be entrusted to the CBI, and that all officials found responsible for the custodial violence be proceeded against and prosecuted in accordance with law," the Bench noted.
Key Directives Issued by the Apex Court
- CBI Investigation: The CBI must immediately register an FIR to investigate both the custodial death and the systemic cover-up by police and state authorities.
- Interim Financial Relief: The State of Chhattisgarh was ordered to disburse ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the victim's dependents within four weeks.
- Transfer of Case Files: The Chhattisgarh DGP was directed to transmit all complete case records to the Director of the CBI via special messenger within seven days.
- Court Supervision: The CBI investigating officer must submit an initial progress report before the Supreme Court ahead of the next hearing scheduled for October 13.
Discription: The Supreme Court of India ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the custodial death of a man named Shravan in Chhattisgarh. Arrested in January 2024 for possessing raw liquor, Shravan died four days later from blunt force head injuries. Despite a judicial magistrate’s report confirming custodial violence, state police failed to register an FIR.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta slammed the State DGP's explanation for inaction as a "patently false" cover-up attempt. Overturning a High Court order that granted only ₹1 lakh, the Supreme Court ordered Chhattisgarh to pay ₹25 lakh in interim compensation to the victim's family and directed the CBI to submit a progress report by October 13.