Patna, May 8 :Bihar is second only to Uttar Pradesh in custodial deaths in prisons, as per the latest figures furnished by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
According to NCRB report, Bihar has recorded 173 custodial deaths in 2006. It is less than 198 custodial deaths in 2005, when Bihar topped the list in the country. In 2006, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 191 custodial deaths.
The report pointed out that Bihar, with such a large number of human rights violation cases, is yet to set up a human right commission in the state.
Custodial deaths, either in police custody or judicial custody, are reported regularly across the state. ”Most of the cases (were) reported from the prison where deaths occurred," a senior police official said.
In the past one year, several under trial activists of political parties, Maoist guerrillas and some criminals accused of murder died in prison that raised eyebrows over poor living conditions, overcrowded jails and lack of health facilities.
The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over custodial deaths in Bihar.
