HC orders ₹2L relief to kin of convict who killed self

Cuttack: Orissa high court has directed the state govt to pay an interim compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the daughter of a convict who allegedly died by suicide at Keonjhar jail 14 years back. The single-judge bench of Justice S K Panigrahi ordered the payment of interim compensation in the case of Nandu Munda whose daughter Babita filed the petition alleging that severe and unbearable mistreatment led his father to take his own life. Nandu was serving imprisonment for a criminal offence. Babita alleged that jail authorities were solely responsible for abetting his suicide. Justice Panigrahi said, “It is the duty of the jail authorities to ensure safety and security of the inmates of the jail. Only when there is negligence on their part, such an incident could take place.”“Therefore, this court comes to the conclusion that it is a case of custodial death and the authorities are responsible for the same. The authorities being the employees of the state of Odisha, the state is vicariously liable for the death of the aforesaid deceased,” Justice Panigrahi ruled in his judgment released on Sept 20. Justice Panigrahi also observed that a full compensation cannot be granted without the completion of investigation of the death and the departmental inquiry, among others. According to case records, Nandu was found hanging from the skylight in a toilet on Sept 1, 2010.

Odisha forester dies by suicide; family alleges 'torture' by authorities

Sanjay Kumar Nayak, a forester from Rayagada district, was found hanging in his official quarters at Bhawanipatna, Odisha. His wife and brother allege that he committed suicide due to mental torture by higher authorities. The body has been handed over to the family after an autopsy was conducted.

Justice Jamdar named Chief Justice of Kerala High Court

Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court by the President of India, following Justice AJ Desai's retirement in July. Born into a family of lawyers in Solapur, Maharashtra, he is a third-generation legal professional and has served as a judge at the Bombay High Court since January 2012.

Patiala Jail authorities get Malwinder Malis eye check-up

Malwinder Singh Mali, former advisor to Navjot Singh Sidhu, underwent a medical examination at Rajindra Hospital following allegations of maltreatment in Patiala Central Jail. Arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, his case has ignited debates on freedom of expression. Jail authorities addressed his medical needs after significant public concern.