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Supreme Court concerned at handcuffing, custody death

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has adjourned to July hearing of a writ petition challenging the Uttar Pradesh police action in producing a lawyer (who later died in custody), with handcuffs in court, in violation of guidelines.

A vacation Bench consisting of Justices C.K. Thakker and L.S. Panta expressed concern over the incident but as the Allahabad High Court was seized of the matter, it adjourned the hearing to July.

Earlier, counsel for the High Court and the Uttar Pradesh government said the court had already passed an interim order and a report of the district magistrate was to be submitted on June 10.

According to the advocate-petitioner, Aeltemesh Rein, on May 13 Shrikant Awasthi was brought from a prison with the handcuffs on before a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justices B.S. Chauhan and Arun Tandon for alleged contempt of court.

Though the handcuffing was brought to the notice of the two judges, no action was taken against the police.

The victim complained of illness and he was taken to hospital, with his handcuffs on and his leg was chained to the bed. Subsequently he died while in custody. Following the death, lawyers went on the rampage and damaged vehicles in Allahabad city.

It was alleged that Awasthi died of police torture. Judicial work remained paralysed following violence.

The petitioner said officials and police officers had committed contempt, by handcuffing Awasthi, in violation of Supreme Court guidelines and directives, and later caused his death. The petitioner also sought compensation to the victim’s family.

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