Now Reading: Maharashtra notifies Rs 5 lakh compensation for police custody deaths
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Maharashtra notifies Rs 5 lakh compensation for police custody deaths
The Story in Brief
The Maharashtra government has formally notified a compensation policy for deaths and permanent disabilities caused in police custody. Families of those who die due to police assault, torture or administrative negligence will receive Rs 5 lakh. The Home Department issued the notification on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, after Cabinet approval earlier this month.
Under the policy, permanent disability from custodial torture qualifies for Rs 2 lakh for disability below 50 per cent and Rs 4 lakh for 50 per cent or more, subject to medical certification. District police chiefs must submit compensation proposals within 30 days, and the state government has another 30 days to verify and approve the claims. Criminal conviction is not required for compensation. Officials found guilty in internal inquiries will face criminal cases, and the government will recover the paid amount from their salary, pension or property.
The policy was framed following Bombay High Court directions on a 2014 petition and excludes deaths from natural causes, certain natural disasters, refusal of medical treatment or escape from custody.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both India Today and The Times of India report the Maharashtra government’s new compensation policy for deaths and permanent disabilities in police custody with nearly identical, straight news agency-style detail. India Today leads with the Rs 5 lakh death compensation figure and includes excluded circumstances such as natural causes and escape-related accidents. The Times of India emphasises the 30-day processing timeline for district police chiefs and the role of the Additional Director General of Police (Civil Rights Protection). Neither outlet editorialises or adds pro-government or critical framing, the coverage is uniform across all procedural points. The policy, framed under Bombay High Court directions from a 2014 petition, now mandates that the government process claims within 60 days and recover payouts from guilty officials, with the first proposals due within the next 30 days from district police chiefs.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indiatoday.in (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
