Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe Into Chhattisgarh Custodial Death, Grants ₹25 Lakh Compensation To Kin

The Supreme Court today transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the probe into the custodial death of a 34-year-old man in Chhattisgarh, taking note of the State police's failure to register an FIR for more than two years after his death.

Despite the death occurring in January 2024, an FIR was apparently registered by the police only on July 30, 2026. The Supreme Court has previously questioned the prolonged failure to register an FIR against the officials allegedly responsible for the custodial violence.

“In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the firm opinion that the ends of justice require that investigation into the circumstances leading to the custodial death of Shravan be entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation and that all officials found responsible for the custodial violence upon completion of the investigation be proceeded against and prosecuted in accordance with law”, the Court ordered today.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta further ordered that CBI also examine the conduct of State officials who failed to take appropriate steps after a judicial inquiry found that the deceased died from a head injury sustained during custody.

“The conduct of the concerned state officials, in failing to take appropriate steps pursuant to the submission of the judicial inquiry report, shall also be duly examined and made a part of the investigation”, the Court held.

The Court directed the CBI to register a regular criminal case into the custodial death and entrust the investigation to a senior officer. The Court directed that the probe be conducted expeditiously and the investigating officer's report be placed before the Court on the next date of hearing on October 13, 2026.

The Court further directed the State to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the petitioners, though the final quantum of compensation would be determined while adjudicating the present writ petition file by the kin of the deceased.

“The findings recorded by the High Court that the deceased was the sole breadwinner of the family and that he died an unnatural death on account of violence suffered during the period of his custody with the State has not been disputed by the State of Chhattisgarh. Thus, as an interim measure, we direct that compensation to the tune of ₹25,00,000 shall be paid by the state of Chhattisgarh to the petitioners herein. The final quantum of compensation payable to the petitioners shall be determined while adjudicating the instant petition”, the Court held.

The man died in hospital on January 21, 2024, three days after he was taken into custody on January 18, 2024. He had been arrested over alleged possession of liquor for sale in front of his grocery shop. The alleged value of the liquor was ₹1,200.

After his death, the Jail Superintendent wrote to the Sessions Judge on January 22, 2024 seeking a judicial inquiry. The Chief Judicial Magistrate initiated an inquiry under Section 176 of the CrPC. The concerned Judicial Magistrate First Class submitted a report in July 2024, concluding that the death was caused by complications resulting from the head injury caused by a blunt weapon.

The deceased's wife and two daughters approached the Chhattisgarh High Court seeking a fair investigation into his death and compensation of ₹50 lakh. The High Court, however, disposed of the petition by awarding ₹1 lakh compensation without directing registration of an FIR or ordering a probe into the allegations.

Before the Supreme Court, although the State filed a counter-affidavit, it did not disclose what steps had been taken to register an FIR and investigate the custodial death.

In an earlier order, the Supreme Court said that the ₹1 lakh compensation awarded by the High Court was completely inadequate and not commensurate with the gravity of the loss suffered by the family. It directed the State Home Secretary and DGP to remain present through video conference.

During the subsequent hearing, the DGP submitted that an inquiry had been ordered and stringent steps would be taken against the errant officials. He also sought to justify the delay in registering the FIR by claiming that the judicial inquiry report had not been sent to the police department.

Justice Mehta pointed out that the report had been appended to the State's affidavit before the High Court. The Court also questioned the DGP's submission that the report did not disclose a cognizable offence warranting registration of an FIR. The Court orally observed that the DGP was “totally incompetent” and questioned whether the Chhattisgarh administration was competent to deal with the matter.

Today, the Supreme Court opined that in the facts and circumstances of the case, "the ends of justice require" that the investigation into the custodial death be entrusted to the CBI.

The Court directed the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, to ensure that complete records of the case are transmitted to the CBI Director through a special messenger within one week. The interim compensation has to be paid into the bank account of the petitioner within four weeks.

Appearance: Advocate Ambuj Tiwari and Advocate-on-Record Nupur Kumar for the petitioners.

Case: Lahra Bai Tamre v. State of Chhattisgarh, Diary No. 48963/2025