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1Supreme Court: In Chhattisgarh, a 34-year-old man, Shravan, died in police custody. A hearing was held in the Supreme Court today in this matter. During the hearing, the Supreme Court has handed over the investigation of this case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court also raised questions as to why the state police had not registered an FIR even after more than two years had passed since the death.

According to the information, Shravan died in police custody in January 2024. Despite this the police did not register an FIR. Police registered FIR on 30 July 2026. The Supreme Court had earlier also raised questions on the delay in registering an FIR against the officers responsible for the custodial violence.

Investigation handed over to CBI

While giving the order today, the court said, ‘In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, we firmly believe that in the interest of justice, it is necessary that the investigation into the cause of Shravan’s custodial death be handed over to the CBI. Also, after completion of the investigation, action and prosecution should be initiated as per law against all the officers found responsible for custodial violence.

Death due to head injury

The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also ordered that the CBI investigate the conduct of the state officials who were aware that Shravan had died due to head injuries sustained while in custody. Even after this, he did not take appropriate steps even after judicial inquiry. While handing over the investigation to CBI, the court ordered that in case of custodial death, a regular criminal case should be registered and the investigation should be handed over to a senior officer. The court directed that the investigation be conducted expeditiously and the report of the investigating officer be presented before the court on the next date of hearing, 13 October 2026.

Announcement of compensation of Rs 25 lakh

The court also directed the state to pay Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to the petitioners. However, the final amount of compensation will be decided during the hearing of the present writ petition filed by the family members of the deceased. The court said that the deceased was the only earning member of the family and his unnatural death was due to the violence he suffered while in state custody. Chhattisgarh state has not expressed any objection on this matter. Therefore, as an interim measure, we direct that the State of Chhattisgarh should pay a compensation of Rs 25,00,000 to the petitioners.

What is the whole matter?

According to the information, Shravan was taken into custody on January 18, 2024. He was arrested for keeping liquor for sale in front of his grocery store. He died in the hospital on 21 January 2024. After his death, the jail superintendent wrote a letter to the session judge on January 22, 2024, demanding a judicial inquiry. After this the investigation of the case was started. Investigation revealed that he died due to head injury caused by a blunt weapon.

What happened in Chhattisgarh High Court?

After this, the deceased’s wife and two daughters approached the Chhattisgarh High Court and demanded a fair investigation into his death as well as a compensation of Rs 50 lakh. However, the Chhattisgarh High Court settled the petition by awarding a compensation of Rs 1 lakh without registering an FIR or ordering an investigation into the allegations. However, considering the compensation of Rs 1 lakh as inadequate, the Supreme Court, taking serious note of the loss suffered by the family, has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh.

Instructions given to Chhattisgarh DGP

Also, the Supreme Court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Chhattisgarh to ensure that the complete records of the case are sent to the CBI Director through a special messenger within a week. An order has also been given to deposit the interim compensation in the petitioner’s bank account within four weeks.