Delhi HC Stays NHRC Order on Custody Suicide Compensation

The Delhi High Court has stayed an NHRC directive ordering the Delhi Police to pay Rs 5 lakh to the family of Rashid Raza, who allegedly committed suicide in police custody. The police contested the April 19 order, arguing that Raza's death could not have been prevented given the circumstances.

The Delhi High Court has halted an NHRC order that directed the Delhi Police to compensate the family of Rashid Raza, who reportedly committed suicide while in custody, with Rs 5 lakh. Justice Sanjeev Narula has called for the NHRC to respond to the police's challenge against the commission's April 19 decision, setting the next hearing for October 24.

The court observed that the police's arguments warrant further examination. Consequently, the NHRC's order, dated April 19, 2023, will be stayed until the next hearing. The case involves the death of Rashid Raza, who was found hanging in a police station room in December 2019.

The NHRC claimed that police negligence led to Raza's death, but the police countered that Raza came to the station without notice to inquire about his wife's death. Evidence from audio recordings and CCTV footage suggests that Raza could have been alone in the room, challenging the notion that the police could have intervened to prevent his death.

(With inputs from agencies.)