Supreme Court Transfers Custodial Death Case to CBI for Investigation

Supreme Court's Decision on Custodial Death Case

On Thursday, the Supreme Court made a significant ruling by transferring the investigation into the alleged custodial torture and subsequent death of a 25-year-old Adivasi man from Guna district in Madhya Pradesh to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The individual, identified as Deva Pardhi, was arrested alongside his uncle, Gangaram Pardhi, on theft charges just weeks before his wedding scheduled for July. Tragically, the family received news of his death later that night.

While authorities claimed he succumbed to a heart attack while in custody, his family disputed this narrative, asserting that both men suffered torture during their detention.

A division bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta expressed concerns that the state police were not conducting a fair and transparent investigation.

The bench noted that if the investigation remained with the state police, there was a risk that they might protect their colleagues involved in the case. The court emphasized the need for the CBI to register a complaint promptly and ensure a thorough and swift investigation into Deva Pardhi's custodial death.

Furthermore, the court mandated that if any police officers are found culpable, they should be arrested within a month. The CBI has been instructed to complete its investigation within 90 days following the arrest of any accused individuals.

Earlier in April, the Supreme Court had raised questions regarding the circumstances surrounding Deva Pardhi's death and criticized the Madhya Pradesh Police for allegedly protecting its officers.