NHRC Orders ₹7.5 Lakh Compensation for Family of Custodial Death Victim Ashok Majhi: A Step Toward Accountability
Justice may be delayed, but every step toward accountability matters.
After more than three years of sustained advocacy, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed its recommendation that the Government of Bihar pay ₹7,50,000 in compensation to the family of Ashok Majhi, who died following alleged police torture while in custody. The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary of Bihar to ensure that the compensation is paid within six weeks and submit proof of compliance by 14 September 2026.
This order is not merely about financial relief—it is a recognition of the human cost of custodial violence and the responsibility of the State to uphold the right to life and dignity.
The Case
Ashok Majhi, a 39-year-old resident of Bihar, was taken into police custody in November 2022 after being accused in a liquor-related case. His family alleged that he was brutally tortured while in custody. He sustained severe head injuries and later died during treatment in a hospital. The police initially claimed that his death resulted from a road accident, while his family maintained that it was the consequence of custodial torture.
Deeply concerned by media reports and the family's allegations, Lenin Raghuvanshi, founder of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), filed a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission on 10 January 2023, seeking an independent investigation, justice, and compensation for the victim's family.
NHRC Investigation Confirms the Family's Vulnerability
During its investigation, an NHRC team conducted an on-site inquiry with local authorities. The inquiry revealed the devastating circumstances facing Ashok Majhi's family.
Ashok's wife had also passed away, leaving four children orphaned. The children now live with their grandmother, who suffers from poor eyesight. The eldest son works as a daily wage labourer to support the family, while the remaining children continue to live in extreme poverty.
Based on these findings, the Bihar Government acknowledged that the family was eligible for humanitarian compensation.
Commission Confirms ₹7.5 Lakh Compensation
After considering the State Government's response, the NHRC concluded that its earlier recommendation was fully justified.
The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, to:
- Pay ₹7,50,000 to the next of kin of Ashok Majhi within six weeks.
- Submit proof of payment before the NHRC.
- Ensure compliance by 14 September 2026.
The Commission also expressed concern that no report had been received from the Director General of Police, Bihar, regarding disciplinary proceedings against the police officer allegedly responsible. The DGP has now been directed to submit the status of departmental action within the same time frame.
Why This Order Matters
Custodial deaths represent one of the gravest violations of human rights because they occur while individuals are under the protection and control of the State.
This order sends an important message:
- The State cannot ignore its responsibility toward victims' families.
- Humanitarian compensation is an essential form of recognition when fundamental rights are violated.
- Accountability requires not only financial relief but also disciplinary action against officials responsible for abuse.
While compensation cannot restore a lost life, it can provide much-needed support to a family left in extreme hardship and reinforce the principle that abuses of power must not go unanswered.
The Role of Human Rights Defenders
This outcome highlights the importance of persistent human rights advocacy. Without the complaint submitted by PVCHR and continued follow-up before the NHRC, the family's struggle for justice might never have received national attention.
For over three decades, PVCHR has worked alongside survivors of torture, custodial violence, and marginalized communities, documenting abuses, providing legal support, and pursuing accountability through national and international human rights mechanisms.
Justice Is Not Yet Complete
The NHRC's order represents significant progress, but the journey is not over.
The Bihar Government must now implement the Commission's directions without delay, and disciplinary proceedings against the officials involved must be pursued transparently.
True justice requires more than compensation. It requires accountability, institutional reform, and a commitment to ensuring that no family has to endure the trauma of losing a loved one in custody again.
Every custodial death is a reminder that human dignity must remain at the heart of governance. Every step toward accountability strengthens the rule of law and brings us closer to a society where justice is not the exception but the norm.
Link of incident: https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-custodial-death-of-person-caught-in-liquor-case-torture-allegations-on-bihar-police-7337112.html
Date: Fri, Jul 24, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Subject: Relief granted [Compensation, Disciplinary & Prosecution](CMP) - 68/4/22/2023-ad
To: <cs-bihar@nic.in>
Cc: <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>
| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| (Law Division) |
| Case No.- 68/4/22/2023-ad |
| Date : 24/07/2026 |
| To, |
| THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, MAIN SECRETARIAT, 4, DESHARTAN MARG, RAJBANSI NAGAR, PATNA, BIHAR BIHAR BIHAR Email- cs-bihar@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Relief granted [Compensation, Disciplinary & Prosecution](CMP) -68/4/22/2023-ad. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 16/07/2026 and the Commission has directed as follows: |
| In compliance with the Order dated 18.03.2026, the Under Secretary, Home Department (Special Branch), Government of Bihar submitted a reply dated 01.04.2026 to the show cause notice, which reads as follows: “A team of the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, conducted an on-site inquiry in association with the local police and the Zonal Police Inspector, Jamalpur. During the inquiry, it was found that the deceased had four children. Since his wife had also passed away, all four children have been left orphaned and are residing with their grandmother, who suffers from poor eyesight. The eldest son of the deceased is working as a labourer, while the remaining children are living in extreme poverty. The family is in dire need of financial assistance and has been found eligible for compensation. Accordingly, on the basis of the findings of the on-site inquiry conducted by the National Human Rights Commission, it has been recommended that compensation be provided to the dependents of the deceased, Ashok Majhi, on humanitarian grounds.” It is pertinent to note that this Commission had already called upon the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, to show cause as to why compensation of Rs.7,50,000/- (Rupees Seven Lakhs Fifty Thousand only) should not be recommended to the next of kin of the deceased. Upon consideration of the reply, it is evident that the State Government has accepted, in principle, the recommendation for payment of compensation to the dependents of the deceased on humanitarian grounds. In view thereof, the recommendation of this Commission for payment of compensation of Rs.7,50,000/- (Rupees Seven Lakhs Fifty Thousand only) to the next of kin of the deceased is found to be fully justified and is hereby confirmed. The Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, is directed to ensure disbursement of the said amount within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of this Order and to submit proof of payment before this Commission. So far as the action proposed against the erring police officer is concerned, no response has yet been received from the Director General of Police, Bihar. The Director General of Police is, therefore, directed to furnish the status of the departmental action initiated against the erring police officer within the same period. Put up after six weeks. |
| It is therefore, requested that the compliance report in the matter be sent to the Commission latest by 14/09/2026, so that the same could be placed before the Commission. |
| Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained |
Your’s faithfully |
| CC to |
Complainant Details Indrajeet Kumar _page-0001%20(2).jpg) |
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