NEW DELHI, April 25: The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the city administration and Tihar jail authorities on a petition filed by Nina Pillai, widow of biscuit baron Rajan Pillai seeking payment of exemplary compensation from the state for the death of her husband in judicial custody at Tihar.Pillai in her petition has alleged that her husband was a ``sad victim of potent admixture of brutality, torture, atrocity, insensitivity, recklessness and negligence'' of the state. The petition filed through counsel Anitha Shenoy says that if they are awarded compensation it would be used for charitable causes and for improving the condition of undertrials.
Nina Pillai in her petition has said that her husband Rajan was a victim of medical negligence in custody and custodial torture and that he was deprived of his fundamental rights to life, liberty, dignity and equality before law.
Pillai who has made her two minor sons co-petitioners in the case has pleadedfor ``exemplary'' compensation for the death of Rajan Pillai. She has also prayed for appropriate action including a High Court directive to the MHA to dismiss and or demote the officials of Tihar central jail found guilty.
Justice Jaspal Singh has directed the respondents who include the superintendent, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent of Tihar jail and two medical officers of the prison to file their replies by May 9.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
