Based on the orders of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Puducherry government has paid Rs. 3 lakh to the wife of an undertrial prisoner – Silvaraj alias Siva – who died on August 15, 2009 in the Central prison at Kalapet (Puducherry) when he was assaulted by five inmates.
The NHRC, after considering various reports, including the post-mortem and conclusions of magisterial inquiry, found that Silvaraj was admitted to the prison around 5.45 p.m. the previous day (August 14) and was found dead the next morning. He suffered serious injuries which led to his death.
The magisterial inquiry had concluded that there were grounds for suspecting foul play and the apparent cause of death was homicide. The Magistrate also said the jail administration failed to effectively discharge their duties and therefore recommended a separate inquiry. The inquest report also recorded the statement of his wife who said that he was normal when she met him in the Thavalakupam police station and was not suffering from any serious disease.
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The compliance report sent by the Puducherry government stated that charge sheets had been filed against the five prison inmates.