The Jharkhand unit of human rights body People’s Union for Civil Liberties has demanded a judicial probe into the death of Dhaneshwar Mehta, a resident of Ranchi who allegedly died because of lack of medical treatment in the custody of the state excise department in August.

A four-member fact-finding team of the PUCL submitted its report on October 30 into the incident on the basis of which the rights body’s state president Renu Diwan has written to the NHRC, state human rights commission, chief minister Hemant Soren, chief secretary Jharkhand (Sukhdev Singh) and DGP Jharkhand (Niraj Sinha).

“As per the report, it is a case of negligence in providing immediate medical care to the victim by the excise department. Timely medical treatment and avoiding arbitrary arrest would have prevented the unfortunate death.

“The guidelines of the Supreme Court laid down in the DK Basu vs the State of West Bengal on arrest were violated by the officials. If the CCTV footage is not preserved or installed, it’s a violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment in ‘Paramvir Singh

Saini vs Baljit Singh and Others’. Even if Dhaneshwar Mehta was involved in the business of illegal liquor, he has a right to medical assistance under arrest,” writes Diwan.

“The whole incident needs an independent inquiry to reinforce the faith of the public in the state administration. Compensation along with reimbursement of medical bills paid by the family of the victim should be provided. We hope the present report will be considered by the state and immediate action will be taken against the accused officers,” informed Diwan.

The PUCL has demanded among other immediate registration of FIR against the responsible officers, independent judicial probe under the aegis of a retired high court judge, compensation to the family of the victim, preservation of the CCTV footage at the excise department of the date of incidence, reimbursement of the medical expenses to the family of the victim.

Significantly, local vernaculars had reported that Dhaneshwar Mehta, a resident of Madhukam, Ranchi, died under the custody of the state excise department on August 20.

The family members (wife and four children) claimed that Dhaneshwar was picked without any warrant and despite complaining of ill health was not provided with any medical care until he fell unconscious/semi-conscious on August 19.

A video footage went viral which showed officials of the excise department carrying the body of Dhaneshwar holding his hands and legs.