As many as 188 police custodial deaths have been reported in Gujarat during the last two years, but few cops have been punished for this.
This revelation was made by none other than the State Home Department in reply to a question on the floor of the ongoing Gujarat assembly session.
The question was raised by senior Congress legislator and former leader of opposition in the State Assembly Paresh Dhanani during question hour.
His questions were how many police custodial deaths had occurred in Gujarat in the last two years as on December 31, 2021, what action had been initiated against the police officers involved and the compensation paid to the next of kin of those who died.
The Home Department replied that 100 custodial deaths were reported during 2021, while the number was 88 in 2020 when most parts of the year passed under Covid-19-induced lockdown.
Without spelling out the number of police officials or staff against whom criminal action had been taken for the custodial deaths, suspended or fine, the Home Department only replied that the next of kin of those who died were paid Rs 6 lakh each as compensation.
No other clarifications or information was provided by the Home Department.
