The Delhi government has introduced a new scheme that offers compensation to families or legal heirs of prisoners who die under unnatural circumstances in jails within the city. The financial assistance will range from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, depending on the specifics of each case. This announcement was made public through a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that this initiative is aligned with the guidelines set forth by the National Human Rights Commission. The primary aim is to provide timely support to grieving families and enhance accountability within the prison administration.

Criteria for Compensation Amounts

Under the scheme, a maximum compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh is designated for cases where the death results from inmate clashes, alleged torture, or assaults by prison personnel. Conversely, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be allotted when deaths occur due to negligence by prison staff, medical personnel, or in instances of suicide by prisoners.

The notification from the Home Department specifies that the Scheme for Payment of Compensation on Account of Death of Prisoners in Delhi Prison, 2025, is applicable only to unnatural deaths occurring on or after the date of the notification. Notably, compensation will not be granted for deaths attributed to natural causes or illnesses.

Additionally, deaths incurred while a prisoner is attempting to escape or while under lawful custody are excluded from this scheme. This also extends to deaths resulting from disasters or calamities, which have been specifically excluded from compensation eligibility.

Review and Administrative Process

In instances of unnatural deaths, the jail superintendent is responsible for submitting several important documents for review. These include the magisterial inquiry report, the post-mortem report, the final cause of death, the prisoner’s medical history, and details regarding any treatment provided prior to death. This comprehensive documentation is critical for the administrative process.

A committee led by the Director General of Prisons will oversee the review of the cases. This committee will also include the Assistant Inspector General of Prisons, the Resident Medical Officer, the Deputy Controller of Accounts, and a Law Officer. This multi-tiered approach is designed to ensure a thorough evaluation of each case of unnatural death in Delhi prisons.

The newly implemented scheme, therefore, establishes clear guidelines and compensation limits for specific scenarios of unnatural deaths among prisoners. With a defined process in place for administrative review, it aims to bring accountability and transparency to the handling of such sensitive matters within the prison system.

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