IN RE.SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This suo motu public interest litigation was initiated pursuant to a direction issued by the Supreme Court in the judgment reported at (2017) 10 SCC 658 (Re-Inhuman conditions in 1382 prisons).

(2.) Two aspects must be pointed out from the relevant judgment. The first is that a distinction was sought to be made by the National Crime Records Bureau between natural and unnatural deaths in custody. At paragraph 6 of the judgment, the Supreme Court found the distinction to be unclear. Secondly, on the issue of defining natural and unnatural deaths, the Supreme Court went on to observe as follows at paragraph 9 of the report:

(3.) After considering several reports, recommendations and suggestions made from several quarters, certain directions were issued by the Supreme Court in the relevant judgment at paragraph 58 and the various sub paragraphs thereunder. For the purpose of the present proceedings, paragraph 58.1 of the report is relevant, as has been rightly pointed out on behalf of the State: