Madras High Court Orders State to Pay 3.5 Lakhs to Man Wrongfully Detained for 8 Months
The Madras High Court recently ordered the state to pay 3.5 lakhs in compensation to a man who spent 8 months in jail despite being acquitted. The court also directed the installation of KIOSK machines in all prisons, with the inclusion of the Tamil language, to help prisoners access legal information.
Justice Sunder Mohan noted that the man, unaware of his rights and his acquittal, did not file an appeal. This highlighted the need for better assistance for such individuals. The court emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure that prisoners are informed of their legal status and rights.
In this case, the petitioner’s son, Chokkar, was convicted as the second accused in a murder case along with Mayilraj. When Mayilraj’s appeal led to his acquittal, the court acknowledged that Chokkar, convicted on similar grounds, was also entitled to acquittal. However, neither Chokkar nor his family was informed about this, resulting in his extended detention.
The authorities admitted that Chokkar’s name was not mentioned in the court order, which led to his continued detention. They accepted that this was not a valid reason and assured the court that action had been taken against the responsible officials.
The court referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in Rudul Shah v State of Bihar, stating that Chokkar was entitled to compensation for his wrongful detention. Additionally, the court allowed Chokkar to file for further damages if he was entitled to more compensation.
The court also requested a status report on the installation of user-friendly kiosks in prisons to help inmates check their case status. It asked for updates on appointing legal aid counsels to inform prisoners of their rights and assist them in obtaining relief.
Case Title: Rathinam v State
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