JAMSHEDPUR, NOV 18: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the chief secretary of Bihar asking him to submit a report on the beating up of an inmate at the Ranchi Mental Hospital who later died on September 23, 1998.The Commission instructed the chief secretary on November 1 this year to file a report within two weeks based on a complaint filed by Jawaharlal Sharma, convenor of Manavadhikar Suraksha Sangathan, a voluntary organisation here. According to a proceeding report of NHRC member Sudarshan Agarwal, 26-year-old Ajoy Tiwari, suffering from simple mental disorder, was admitted to the Ranchi Mental Hospital on September 21. Two days later the wardens beat him to death, the report said. Sharma said despite being serious injured, Tiwari was not administered any medical assistance till death.The Commission deputed the director general of its investigation wing to conduct an inquiry and at the same time also directed former Uttar Pradesh DGP S V M Tripathy to conduct aseparate inquiry.On October 20, Tripathy placed his inquiry report before the Commission. The report stated that on September 23, 1998, Tiwari had been beaten to death by the wardens of the Ranchi Mental Hospital. The report also said the government and the police did not assist him in his investigation into Tiwari's death.The NHRC report, based on the former DGP's report, directed the Bihar Government to initiate prosecution against delinquent officials at the Ranchi Mental Hospital. The NHRC proceeding report said: "The Commission strongly condemns the brutalities perpetrated in mental institutions that are set up for the welfare of mentally ill patients."The NHRC report went on to add: "It also deplores the callousness displayed by the Bihar Government as evidenced by the non-submission of its report as required by the Commission." "By their brutal action, the wardens at the Ranchi Hospital has deprived Tiwari of his sacred fundamental right to life," the report said.The NHRCrecommended that Bihar Government pay Rs 2 lakh as immediate interim compensation to the next of kin of the victim, initiate criminal proceedings against delinquent ward officials causing death of Tiwari and take action against doctors showing dereliction of duty by not providing medical care. Following this, the Commission ordered Bihar's chief secretary to send compliance report to the Commission by November 15.
