Supreme Court orders CBI probe into Chhattisgarh custodial death, orders interim compensation
The Supreme Court transferred the investigation of Shravan Suryavanshi’s death in custody to the CBI and directed the state to pay Rs 25 lakh to his family.
In New Delhi, the Supreme Court criticised senior officials of Chhattisgarh for allegedly covering up the custodial death of Shravan Suryavanshi, who was arrested on Jan 18 2024 and died a day after being transferred to a hospital from Central Jail, Bilaspur. The bench found the state’s explanations “perfunctory and pedantic” and deemed the authorities unfit to conduct an impartial probe. Consequently, the court handed the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, ordering a senior officer to lead a swift investigation and to register a formal FIR without delay.
It also directed the state government to provide Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to Suryavanshi’s family. The court instructed that the investigative report be submitted at the next hearing and that the conduct of the senior officials be examined as part of the inquiry.
Why it matters
The ruling shifts a sensitive custodial death case to a federal agency, highlighting concerns over police accountability in India.
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