The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹3.5 lakh as interim compensation to a man who remained in jail for eight months despite being acquitted. The court also emphasized the need for better communication in prisons to prevent such injustices.
Lack of Awareness Led to Unlawful Detention
Justice Sunder Mohan noted that the detained man, Chokkar, was unaware of his acquittal and did not file an appeal due to a lack of legal knowledge. His wrongful detention was revealed when the court reviewed his case.
Chokkar was convicted in a murder case along with another accused, Mayilraj. When Mayilraj appealed, his conviction was overturned, and he was acquitted. Since both were convicted on similar grounds, Chokkar was also entitled to acquittal. However, neither he nor his family was aware of their legal rights, leading to his prolonged detention.
Court Criticizes Authorities and Orders Compensation
The authorities argued that Chokkar’s name was not explicitly mentioned in the court’s order, which led to his continued imprisonment. However, they admitted that this was not a valid reason for his detention. The court ordered strict action against the responsible officials.
The High Court referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Rudul Shah v. State of Bihar, which mandates compensation for unlawful detention. It granted Chokkar an interim compensation of ₹3.5 lakh and allowed him to seek further damages.
Prison Reforms Ordered
To prevent similar incidents, the court directed the installation of kiosks in all Tamil Nadu prisons, allowing inmates to check their case status. It also ordered the appointment of legal aid counsels to educate prisoners about their rights and assist them in seeking justice.
This ruling highlights the importance of legal awareness and accountability within the justice system to prevent wrongful detentions and uphold prisoners’ rights.
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