IN RE SUO MOTU COSTODIAL VIOLENCE AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING PRISON CONDITIONS Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The near relatives of the 15 persons, who died in prison/custody of the State were ordered to be impleaded as parties - respondents No. 7 to 21. Mr. N. Mozika, Amicus Curiae has filed an affidavit dated 26.06.2019 as to the status service of notice upon them, accordingly to which 8(eight) respondents i.e. respondents 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 have been served. However, 7(seven) respondents i.e. respondents No. 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 17 and 21 could not be served for various reasons, mostly because they were not found in the given addresses or the addresses were not correct.

(2.) The State respondents is directed to furnish with fresh and correct addresses within two weeks. Upon furnishing with new and correct addresses, let fresh notices be issued to those respondents returnable by 22.02.2020.

(3.) Meanwhile, Director of Prisons is required to file an affidavit for bringing on record the post-mortem reports of all those prisoners who died in prisons of the State, either in judicial custody or police custody, along with the magisterial inquiry reports conducted under Section-174 Cr.P.C.