Pay Rs 10 lakh to kin of 36-yr-old man who died in police custody in March 2021: NHRC to UP Govt

The Commission also criticised the UP police for “deliberately concealing facts” and failing to provide a credible explanation for multiple injuries found on the deceased.

Written by Neetika Jha

Noida | Updated: December 12, 2025 09:16 AM IST

3 min read

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The order came after the Commission dismissed the state government’s reply to a show-cause notice and upheld its earlier finding that Ziauddin had died in police custody.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation within four weeks and submit proof of payment to the family of Ziauddin, a 36-year-old man who died in March 2021 after he was allegedly tortured in police custody in Ambedkar Nagar.

The Commission also criticised the UP police for “deliberately concealing facts” and failing to provide a credible explanation for multiple injuries found on the deceased.

In its order which was made public Wednesday, the NHRC noted there was no doubt about the issue that the man was brought by the police to the police station and as per the postmortem report, there were eight injury marks on his body. “However, the report is silent as to how and when the deceased would have sustained the said injury marks, more particularly, no justification about the nature of injuries while he was in custody of the police,” it stated.

The order came after the Commission dismissed the state government’s reply to a show-cause notice and upheld its earlier finding that Ziauddin had died in police custody.

“In absence of any material before this commission, this commission cannot come to a conclusive conclusion that the death of the deceased did not occur while in the police custody and now to save the skin, the police have given such a report to cover the mischief done by it while endorsing the reply by Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Government of UP,” the order stated.

According to the complaint filed by Ziauddin’s brother, Shahabuddin, his brother was picked up by a police SWAT team headed by Sub-Inspector Devendra Pal on March 25, 2021 while he was on his way to a relative’s home. Hours later, the family was informed of his death. The brother also alleged that no medical examination or postmortem had initially been conducted.

Police later claimed that Ziauddin was taken in for interrogation based on call detail records linking him to an accused in an attempt-to-murder case. Officials stated that his health deteriorated en route the police station and he was shifted to Dutt Hospital, where he died at 1.45 am on March 26, 2021.

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The postmortem report recorded abrasions and contusions on eight locations across Ziauddin’s arms, legs and buttocks, and noted the cause of death as “hypoxia and shock due to antemortem lung injury with multiple blunt injuries”.

Later, an FIR under Sections 302 and 364 of the IPC was filed against SI Devendra Pal and a constable. Police later submitted a Final Report (FR) in May 2022, claiming no evidence of custodial torture and maintaining that the deceased was “not in police custody”.

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

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