Custodial Death in Lakhimpur Kheri: NHRC Notice to UP Chief Secretary – PVCHR Demands Justice for Ram Chandra Maurya
Custodial Death in Lakhimpur Kheri: NHRC Notice to UP Chief Secretary – PVCHR Demands Justice for Ram Chandra Maurya
The People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) expresses grave concern over the custodial death of 34-year-old Ram Chandra Maurya, who died on 8 January 2025 in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. His death while in police custody raises serious questions of torture, abuse of power, and the continuing crisis of impunity in India’s law enforcement system.
The Case
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Ram Chandra Maurya, a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri, was arrested by police under unclear circumstances.
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Within hours of his detention, he died in custody.
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His family alleged that he was beaten to death by the police, and demanded justice and accountability.
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The complaint was filed by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Senior Advisor of PVCHR, before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) (Diary No. 873/IN/2025; Case No. 699/24/46/2025-AD).
NHRC’s Action and Notice to the Chief Secretary
The NHRC took cognizance of the complaint and directed the District Magistrate (DM) and the Superintendent of Police (SP), Lakhimpur Kheri, to submit key documents, including:
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FIR, arrest memo, inspection memo
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Medical examination and post-mortem reports (with video/CD)
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Magisterial Enquiry Report under Section 176(1A) CrPC
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Site plan, forensic reports, and GD extracts
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Departmental or CB-CID inquiry reports
However, despite repeated reminders, many crucial documents were not submitted.
On 19 September 2025, the NHRC issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, directing him, along with the SP and DM of Lakhimpur Kheri, to provide the missing reports within four weeks (by 27 October 2025). This notice places responsibility at the highest level of the state government and reaffirms that custodial deaths are serious human rights violations.
Compensation for the Victim’s Family
The NHRC has reminded the State Government that custodial deaths are the state’s responsibility, and therefore compensation is mandatory under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
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The Supreme Court in D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997) established that monetary relief is appropriate in custodial violence cases, though not a substitute for prosecution.
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In similar cases, NHRC has recommended ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh as compensation.
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PVCHR strongly demands that the Government of Uttar Pradesh immediately release at least ₹25 lakh compensation to the family of Ram Chandra Maurya, along with long-term rehabilitation measures such as education and livelihood support.
Broader Context
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India records over 1,500 custodial deaths annually, yet prosecutions of police officers are extremely rare.
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Despite the legal mandate for Magisterial Inquiries under Section 176(1A) CrPC, compliance is weak.
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Families are left without justice, silenced by poverty, fear, and systemic delays.
PVCHR’s Stand
PVCHR strongly asserts that:
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Custodial deaths are state crimes and cannot be dismissed as routine incidents.
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The UP Government must ensure both compensation and criminal accountability for officers responsible.
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The NHRC’s notice to the Chief Secretary must be followed by strict compliance and transparency.
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Structural reforms are urgently required to end torture and custodial violence in India.
Conclusion
The custodial death of Ram Chandra Maurya is not only a personal tragedy but also a serious challenge to India’s democracy and human rights framework.
The NHRC’s notice to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh is an important step, but justice will remain incomplete until compensation is paid, accountability is fixed, and systemic reforms are enacted.
✊ PVCHR stands in solidarity with the family of Ram Chandra Maurya and will continue to fight against custodial violence, demanding truth, justice, and dignity for all victims.
Date: Fri, Sep 19, 2025, 21:05
Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -699/24/46/2025-AD
To: <spkhi-up@nic.in>, <dmlkh@nic.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>
Cc: <cs-uttarpradesh@nic.in>, <csup@nic.in>, <dgp@up.nic.in>
 |
| 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.- 699/24/46/2025-AD |
| Date : 19/09/2025 |
| To, |
| THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE LAKHIMPUR KHERI UTTAR PRADESH Email- spkhi-up@nic.in THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE DC Rd, Police Line, Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh 262701 LAKHIMPUR KHERI UTTAR PRADESH Email- dmlkh@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -699/24/46/2025-AD. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 19/09/2025 and the Commission has directed as follows.: |
| 1. These proceedings shall be read in continuation with earlier proceedings of the Commission. |
| 2. It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 27/10/2025, for futher consideration by the Commission. |
| 3. 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 |
| THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF UTTAR PRADESH, 1ST FLOOR, ROOM NO. 110, LALBAHADUR SASTRI BHAWAN, UTTAR PRADESH SECRETARIAT, LUCKNOW-226001 UTTAR PRADESH Email- cs-uttarpradesh@nic.in,csup@ THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, 1, TILAK MARG, LUCKNOW- 226001, UTTAR PRADESH UTTAR PRADESH Email- dgp@up.nic.in |
Brijvir Singh  |
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