Mumbai: Maharashtra state cabinet, in a meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved a policy for providing Rs 5 lakh compensation to the immediate legal heirs of custodial death victim if it is established that the person died due to assault, torture or pressure by a police officer or personnel.As per the policy, if a person suffers less than 50% permanent disability due to physical or mental torture, compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be paid. In cases where the permanent disability is found to be 50% or more, compensation of Rs 4 lakh will be paid.Compensation will not be provided in cases where the death occurs naturally due to old age or a pre-existing incurable illness from before the person was taken into custody.According to the policy, the superintendent of police or commissioner of police of the concerned district will take cognisance of such cases and submit a proposal within 30 days. In cases of custodial deaths, if any officer or employee of the administration is found responsible, provisions have been made for registration of criminal cases against them. The policy also provides for recovery of the compensation amount from the personal salary, pension or property of officers or employees found guilty of negligence.
