NHRC Issues Show Cause Notice to Jharkhand Govt Over Custodial Death of 17-Year-Old in Seraikela

Ranchi, Jharkhand: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a stern view in the case of the custodial death of 17-year-old Mohan Murmu (also referred to as Mohan Mandi/Mardi) in Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Acting on a complaint filed by human rights activist Shabab Nayyar, supported by a news report in Prabhat Khabar (05.11.2022), the Commission has issued a show-cause notice to the Jharkhand government.

The NHRC directed the state to pay ₹5,00,000 compensation to the deceased’s family and to initiate departmental proceedings and criminal action against the guilty police officers.

Case Background

On October 26, 2022, a local resident, Vasudev Sardar, reported his 16-year-old daughter missing. He later arrived at the police station with his daughter, son, and the deceased, Mohan Murmu, who wished to take the girl home. Police subsequently detained Mohan Murmu.

According to investigations, Mohan was held in illegal custody at Seraikela Police Station for four days without a proper arrest memo or FIR. His family later alleged that police demanded ₹80,000 for his release.

On November 1, 2022, Mohan was found dead inside the police station, hanging from a toilet slab with a belt noose. Police initially tried to pass it off as suicide.

Magisterial Inquiry Findings

A judicial magistrate’s inquiry revealed shocking details:

Mohan was tortured to death by SHO/SI Manohar Kumar, ASI Kamal Murmu, and ASI Md. Khurshid Ali.
Antemortem injuries were found: ligature marks around the neck (40cm x 4cm), contusion beneath thyroid cartilage, injuries on the scalp, and a contused small intestine.
The then Superintendent of Police and SDPO/ASP of Seraikela (City) were found negligent for failing to inspect the station and for late arrival at the crime scene.
The police did not even summon a doctor; SHO himself declared the boy dead.

The inquiry concluded that the boy was brutally beaten in custody and later hanged to stage it as a suicide.

FIR and Legal Action

sabab Nayyar tudu Download

Following public outrage, an FIR (No. 126/22) was lodged on November 4, 2022 under IPC Sections 342, 302, 201, 385, 389, 109, 119, and 34 against SHO Manohar Kumar and others.

NHRC Observations and Directions

After analyzing the reports, the NHRC stated:

The state is vicariously liable for the custodial death.
Custodial safety is the prime duty of the state.
Gross human rights violations occurred due to acts of commission and omission by police officials and senior officers.

The Commission directed:

Payment of ₹5,00,000 compensation to the family.
Departmental enquiry against SHO Manohar Kumar, ASI Kamal Murmu, ASI Md. Khurshid Ali, and negligent senior officers.
Status report of FIR 126/22 to be submitted within six weeks.

Activist’s Role

The case came into NHRC’s purview after Shabab Nayyar, a human rights activist from Chakradharpur, filed a detailed complaint based on local media reports. His intervention ensured that the case was officially investigated as a human rights violation.

Larger Implications

This custodial death has raised serious questions on police accountability in Jharkhand. The NHRC’s intervention has not only provided some relief to the grieving family but also sent a message that custodial torture and cover-ups will not be tolerated.