SC gives CBI two days to arrest MP Police personnel for alleged custodial death of Adivasi man

The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Central Bureau of Investigation that contempt proceedings may be initiated against the central agency if two Madhya Pradesh Police officers accused in the alleged custodial torture and death of an Adivasi man are not arrested within two days, The Indian Express reported.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan criticised the probe agency for its failure to act despite directions issued in May, Live Law reported.

Ahead of his wedding in July 2024, the 25-year-old man, Deva Pardhi, and his uncle, Gangaram Pardhi, were arrested on charges of theft. Later that night, Deva Pardhi’s family was informed that he had died.

While the police claimed that he died of a heart attack, the family rejected the explanation, alleging that both men were tortured in custody.

On May 15, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation after the Supreme Court found that the Madhya Pradesh Police was not carrying out the investigations “in a fair and transparent manner”.

The court had said that if the police officers are found responsible for the custodial death, they must be arrested within a month.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Deva Pardhi’s mother, alleging that the central agency had violated its order.

The judges expressed anger at the agency’s explanation...

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