By Priya Sharma, Senior Correspondent
Last Updated: June 24, 2025
Key Developments
- Action Taken: Jaipur Police Commissionerate has transferred six officers to desk duty at the Police Lines following the June 18 custodial death of 40-year-old suspect Harish Valmiki.
- Official Statement: “This is in strict compliance with CrPC guidelines and the NHRC’s directives on custodial fatalities,” said ASP Rajkumar Choudhary of Baran district administration timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Magisterial Inquiry: A sitting magistrate has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of Valmiki’s death within the mandatory 24-hour window.
What Happened
On the night of June 17, Harish Valmiki was arrested by the Chipabarod police (Baran district) on charges of breach of public peace. According to family members, Valmiki complained of chest pain around midnight but was not immediately taken for medical evaluation timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Early next morning, his health deteriorated and he was declared dead upon arrival at the community health centre in Chipabarod.
Who’s Who: Officers Shifted
| Rank | Station | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Sub-Inspector | Chipabarod Police Station | Transferred to Police Lines |
| Head Constable | Chipabarod Police Station | Transferred to Police Lines |
| Constable (x3) | Chipabarod Police Station | Transferred to Police Lines |
| Station House Officer | Chipabarod Police Station | Transferred to Police Lines |
Expert Analysis
“Prompt administrative action is crucial to preserve the integrity of any custodial death investigation,” explains Dr. Anjali Singh, Professor of Criminology at National Law University, Delhi. “Transferring officers removes potential conflicts of interest and aligns with the Supreme Court’s D.K. Basu guidelines on custodial safeguards.”
Dr. Singh further notes that “medical examination within hours of arrest and video-recorded interrogations can reduce custodial mortality” — recommendations echoed in the NHRC’s 1993 circular requiring district authorities to report and probe every custodial death within 24 hours pwonlyias.com.
5 Key Takeaways
- Legal Mandate: Section 57 of the CrPC mandates production of an arrestee before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.
- NHRC Guidelines: All custodial deaths must be reported to the National Human Rights Commission within 24 hours, with a copy of the post-mortem and magistrate’s inquiry report.
- Administrative Protocol: Transfer of involved officers to Police Lines is standard procedure; it is not disciplinary action.
- Family Compensation: Valmiki’s relatives have been assured of ex gratia as per state norms.
- Ongoing Probe: A magisterial inquiry will determine whether negligence or foul play contributed to his death.
Daily Digest
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2025 | Valmiki dies in custody; family protests at mortuary. |
| June 19, 2025 | ASP orders transfer of six officers; magisterial enquiry appointed. |
| June 24, 2025 | Preliminary autopsy indicates “cardiac arrest”—pending detailed report. |
Fact-Check
- Allegation: Family members claim custodial torture led to death.
- Police Claim: Officers insist they followed protocol; initial treatment was provided at the health centre.
- What’s Verified: The post-mortem was conducted under judicial supervision; detailed histopathology and toxicology reports due within 72 hours.
- Pending: Confirmation of whether any delay in medical care violated Supreme Court mandates in D.K. Basu vs. West Bengal (1996).
