The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the custodial death of a 34-year-old man who died in Chhattisgarh in January 2024, observing that the state police delayed registering the First Information Report (FIR) by more than two years.
Bench cites delay in FIR, orders interim relief
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta transferred the investigation to the central agency and ordered the authorities to pay ₹25 lakh to the victim's family as interim compensation. The court said the final amount will be determined while adjudicating the petition.
The man was taken into custody on 18 January 2024 on an allegation of possessing liquor for sale outside his grocery shop and died three days later in hospital on 21 January 2024. The bench noted that the Chhattisgarh police registered an FIR only on 30 July 2026, over two years after his death.
Court directions on scope of probe
The apex court directed that the CBI investigation be entrusted to a senior officer and that the probe should examine whether state officials failed to take appropriate action after a judicial inquiry report was submitted. The bench said any official found responsible for custodial violence should be prosecuted in accordance with law.
“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 further observed that the Chhattisgarh High Court had concluded the deceased was the sole breadwinner and that his death was unnatural due to violence suffered while in custody — findings the state government did not dispute, the bench recorded.
Orders and factual timeline
The key directions from the Supreme Court include:
- Transfer of the investigation into the custodial death to the CBI;
- Appointment of a senior CBI officer to conduct the probe;
- Examination of the conduct of state officials who handled the matter after a judicial inquiry report;
- Interim payment of ₹25 lakh to the deceased's family, with final compensation to be fixed later.
Below is a concise timeline of the events as reflected in the court order:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 18 January 2024 | Man taken into custody by Chhattisgarh police on liquor-possession allegation |
| 21 January 2024 | Deceased died in hospital three days after arrest |
| 30 July 2026 | State police registered FIR into the matter |
| 12 August 2026 | Supreme Court ordered CBI probe and interim compensation |
Legal and accountability implications
The court's intervention highlights judicial concern about delayed action by state authorities in cases involving custodial deaths. By transferring the probe to the CBI and insisting on examination of the conduct of officials responsible for post-inquiry steps, the bench sought to ensure independent scrutiny and possible prosecution where warranted.
The interim compensation award recognises the immediate financial hardship faced by the victim's family. The bench specifically noted the deceased was the family's sole earner; the court ordered the interim payment to provide relief pending final adjudication of compensation.
What the order does not yet settle
The apex court directed an investigation but did not itself determine criminal liability. The final quantum of compensation, the identity of any officials to be prosecuted and the conclusions of the CBI investigation will be decided after the central agency completes its probe and reports the findings.
The matter remains before the Supreme Court for further orders based on the outcome of the CBI investigation and any supplementary submissions by the parties.
