CG News: The Supreme Court has issued a significant order regarding the death of Shravan Suryavanshi (alias Sarvan Tamre) while in police custody in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district. Handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Court directed the state government to pay interim compensation of ₹25 lakh to the deceased’s wife and two minor daughters. The Supreme Court instructed the investigative agency to register a regular criminal case and complete the investigation expeditiously. A progress report on the investigation must be submitted at the next hearing scheduled for October 13.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the CBI to probe the causes of Shravan’s custodial death. The Court ordered that the responsibility for the investigation be entrusted to a senior officer. The Supreme Court also clarified that if any officer is found responsible for violence during custody, action must be taken against them. Furthermore, the Court directed an investigation into the role of Chhattisgarh officials accused of failing to take necessary action despite the findings of a judicial inquiry. The Court emphasized the need for an impartial investigation into the facts and circumstances of the entire matter. Granting relief to the deceased’s family, the Court ordered the payment of ₹25 lakh as interim compensation; however, it clarified that this is not the final compensation amount, as the final sum may be determined based on the facts and further proceedings of the case.
The matter reached the Supreme Court through a petition filed by the deceased’s wife, Lahra Bai Tamre, and his daughters, Sandhya and Sakshi. The petitioners had challenged the Chhattisgarh High Court’s order dated October 3, 2024. The High Court had ordered compensation of ₹1 lakh to the family for the custodial death but had issued no directions regarding the registration of an FIR or a detailed investigation into the cause of death. According to records, Shravan Suryavanshi was arrested on January 18, 2024, by the police from the Sipat police station in Bilaspur district under Section 34(2) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act. The police action was taken on charges of possessing six liters of illicit liquor. Following his arrest, Shravan was sent to Bilaspur Central Jail. On January 21, his health deteriorated, and he was taken to CIMS Hospital in Bilaspur, where he passed away on January 22, 2024. Now, following a Supreme Court order, the CBI will investigate the matter, and the progress of the investigation will be presented to the court at the next hearing.
