SAROJ RANI Vs. GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner is the wife of late Vinod Kumar and is the mother of two small children aged 8 years and 3 years respectively. Vinod Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on 9th June 2007 and was sent to judicial custody in Tihar Jail on 10th June 2007. He died on 12th June 2007 while in Tihar Jail. This petition seeks compensation for his death from both the Delhi Police as well as the Tihar Jail authorities. Events leading to the petition

(2.) This Court in the first instance proposes to set out the versions of the events leading up to Vinod Kumars death as narrated in the counter affidavit of the Tihar Jail authorities (Respondent No.2) and the Delhi Police (Respondent No.3).

(3.) According to the Delhi Police, Vinod Kumar used to work as a labourer, cleaning sewage lines. He was an alcoholic for the last five years. He used to consume locally brewed alcohol as he could not afford branded alcohol available in the market. It is claimed that even in the past Vinod Kumar had been prosecuted for drinking in public and creating nuisance. Reference is made to FIR No. 619 dated 18th August 2006 which was registered against him in that connection.