Custodial killing victim’s kin to get Rs 10 lakh

Mumbai: The state government will give a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of a robbery suspect, Aniket Kothale, who was allegedly killed in custody by a few policemen in Sangli recently.

The state will give his family police protection and Ujjwal Nikam would be appointed as special Public Prosecutor as per request by the deceased’s family. More than seven cops were suspended in the custodial death case.

The government took serious note of custodial death of Kothale and called an urgent meeting of senior police officers within two days. No ‘Third Degree’ will be allowed to be used and clear guidelines will be issued to the police to adopt a procedure for interrogation, minister of state home Deepak Kesarkar said. According to Mr Kesarkar, Kothale was interrogated and tortured by the accused cops even after the police had already recovered what he had allegedly robbed — cash worth Rs 2,000 and a mobile phone. Aniket was arrested by the Sangli police in a robbery case of one mobile and Rs 2,000 only by police sub-inspector Yuvraj Kamte. He was assaulted and tortured by Kamte and others. The CID arrested all police officials who helped Kamte to destroy the evidence. Mr Kesarkar went to Sangli on Sunday and met the family of Aniket. We have taken all necessary steps, so there is no for any agitation, said Mr Kesarkar.

Mr Kesarkar said that there are many guidelines, court orders for police about interrogation and yet the police are not following them which is why fresh orders are being issued.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission also issued notice to the director general Satish Mathur and asked for the report.