SAHELI, A WOMEN'S RESOURCES CENTRE, THROUGH MS. NALINI BHANOT AND ORS.versusCOMMISSIONER OF POLICE, DELHI POLICE HEAD QUARTERS AND ORS.

     SAHELI, A WOMEN'S RESOURCES CENTRE, THROUGH
A
               MS. NALINI BHANOT AND ORS.
                                        v:
       COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, DELHI POLICE HEAD-
                  QUARTERS AND ORS.

B                           DECEMBER 14, 1989

            [B.C. RAY ANDS. RATNAVEL PANDIAN, JJ.]

          Constitution of India, 1950: Article 32-Tortious acts of emplo-
    yees-Responsibility of State-Death of person due to beating by police
    official-State directed to pay compensation.
c
         Torts: Vicarious Liability-Death of child due to beating by
    Police-State directed to pay compensation to mother.

           In the Writ Petitions filed on behalf of two women, who were
D   severely beaten by the alleged landlord, in collusion with the local
    police, in their attempts to get the rooms occupied by them vacated, the
    petitioners prayed for directions to the respondents to pay exemplary
    charges to one of the women for the death of her son but to injuries
    inflicted on him by the police.

E         It was alleged that the landlord's son, accompanied by the Station
    House Officer and other police personnel severely beat the woman, and
    her nine year old son, who was clinging to her to protect her, as a result
    of which the child suffered severe injuries and died in the hospital.

          A medico-legal case was registered. The case was investigated by
p   the Inspector of Crime Branch, who submitted his report according to
    which there was a high level conspiracy of the police with the accused in
    getting the rooms occupied by the women vacated and opposed grant of
    bail as it was a clear case under Section 302/120B I.P.C.

          A counter-affidavit on behalf of Respondent No. 1 was filed stat-
G   ing that the Station House Officer himself took part in the beatings and
    the minor child was also not spared and the child sustained severe
    injury in the left leg, which was opined as a grievous one, and that the
    injuries inflicted on the child caused fever and pneumonitis, resulting in
    the death of the child, and a case under Sections 308/34 I.P.C. which
    was later altered to 304/34 I.P.C. was registered and one of the accused
H   arrP.sted.

                                       488
                          SAHEL! v. COMMR. OF POLICE                        489

           Disposing1of the Writ Petitions, this Court,
                                                                                   A
           HELD: 1.1 An action for damages lies for bodily harm which
     includes battery, assault, false imprisonment, physical injuries and
     death. In cases of assault, battery and false imprisonment, the damages
     are large and represent a solatium for the mental . pain, distress,
     indignity, loss of liberty and death. l494El                                  B

           1.2 It is well settled tbat tbe State is responsible for the tortious
     acts of its employees. ,[494F]

           In the instant case, it is apparent, from the report-Of the Inspector
•.                                                              \
     of the Crime Branch and the counter-affidavit filed on, behalf of the
     Commissioner of Police and also from the fact that the prosecution has        c
     been launched in connection with death of the child that the child was
     done to death on account oHhe beating and assault by the agency of the
     sovereign power acting in violation and excess of the power vested in
     such agency. The mother of the child is, therefore, entitled to get
     compensation from respondent No. 2, which is liable for payment of            D
     compensation fo[ the death of the child due to beating by the Po!ice
     officials concerned. It is,. therefore, just and proper to direct respon-
     dent No. 2 to pay compensation to the mother of the deceased child, a
     sum of Rs. 75,000. [494C-D; 495F].

            [Respondent No. 2 may take-appropriate steps for recovery of the       E
     amount paid as compensation or part thereof from the officers, who will
     be found responsible, .if they are s0 advised. As the Police Officers are
     not parties before the Court, any observation made by the Court in
     justification of this order shall not have any bearing in any proceedings
     specially criminal prosecution pending against the police officials in
     connection with the death of the child.] 1( 495G I                            F

          Joginder Kaur v. The Punjab State and Ors., [1969] ACJ 28 at 32
     and The State of Rajasthan v. Mst. Vidhyawati and Anr., [1%2] Supp
     2 SCR 989 at 1007, relied on.

          ORIGINAL JURSIDICTION: Writ Petition (Criminal) Nos.                     G
     250-53 of 1988.

           (Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India).

           Govind Mukhoty and S.K. Bhattacharya for the Petitioners.
                                                                                   H
    490         SUPREME COURT REPORTS                I1989] Supp. 2 S.C.R.

        V.C. Mahajan, Ms. A. Subhashini and R.B. Mishra for the
A   Respondents.

          The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

         RAY, J. These writ petitions have been filed by the Women's
B   and Civil Rights Organization known as SAHEL!, a Women's
    Resources Centre on behalf of two women Maya Devi and Kamlesb
    Kumari who have been residing in one room tenament each on the
    ground floor of house No. 408/5/A L Gali No. 29 Anand Parbat and
    were severely beaten up by the alleged landlord in collusion with the
    S.H.O., Shri Lal Singh and the police of Anand Parbat Police Station.
    The facts of the case giving rise to these writ petitions are as follows:-
c
          Kamlesh Kumari and her husband Inder Singh moved into the
    house No. 408/5/A L, Gali No. 29, Anand Parbat in 1974. They had
    three children, Saroj 13 yars old girl, Naresh 9 years old boy (now
    deceased) and Suresh 7 years old boy. They were living in one room on
D   the ground floor of the said house which is a double storey. The other
    lady, Maya Devi has also been living in another room of the said house
    on the ground floor with her husband and children. The husband of
    both Kamlesh Kumari and Maya Devi are truck drivers and they often
    remain away from their home. There is a dispute over the ownership of
    the house. In or about 1984, the old landlord, one Tajinder Singh left
E   the house and one Manohar Lal claims t.o be the new landlord. At
    present, one Puran Chand and his two sons Shambu Dayal and Prakash
    Chand claim to have bought the said property from Manohar Lal and
    they have been illegally evicting all the tenants from the said premises.
    In their attempt they succeeded in evicting all the tenants except the
    two tenants named Kamlesh Kumari and Maya Devi. It is because of
F   these illegal threats of eviction, Kamlesh Kumari obtained an order of
    stay from the Court against her forceful eviction and that said order is
    in force. Some time in October, 1987 the so-called landlords cut off the
    water and electricity suply to Kamlesh Kumari's room and the same
    has not be~n restored till this day. On November, 2, 1987 the then
    S.H.O. of Anand Parbat Police Station, Lal Singh called for Kamlesh
G   Kumari and told her to vacate the room. On November 4, 1987, the
    said S.H.0. again called for Kamlesh Kumari and when she arrived at
    the police station she found that the so-called landlords were already
    present there. In th~ presence of Shambu Dayal and others, Lal Singh
     told Kamlesh Kumari to take some money and leave the room
    whereon Kamlesh Kumari said that she should be given some time
H    especially because her children are studying in schools. On November
                SAHEL! v. COMMR. OF POLICE [RAY, J.]                491

 12, 1987, the said S.H.O. once again called Kamlesh Kumari and this
time he threatened to lock her up if she refused to vacate the room. Ou   A
November 13, 1987, Kamlesh Kumari went to Tis Hazari Court to
consult her lawyer. On coming back she found her children missing
and Maya Devi was standing outside, all her belongings thrown out.
Maya Devi told Kamlesh Kumari that the Sub-Inspector of Police
K.L. Nanda of Anand Parbat Police Station had come and had taken          B
away her children and had thrown away Maya Devi from her room.
Kamlesh Kumari immediately went to the Police Station and met the
S.H.O., Lal Singh and asked him about her children. The S.H.O. said
that her children had been kept locked up and she would not be
allowed to see her children unless she vacated the room. Kamlesh
Kumari then went to Tis Hazari Court to see her lawyer. The lawyer
phoned the Police control room and rushed back to Anand Parbat            c
Police Station. With great difficulty the lawyer got the three children
released from the police station.

       On the same day, i.e. November 13, 1987, after Kamlesh Kumari
and her children had just taken their dinner, Shambu Dayal trespassed     D
into ·her room and hit Kamlesh Kumari on the forehead with a brick.
She rushed to the police station and reported the matter to the police.
The police had her medically examined but refused to take any action
against the assailants.

      On November 14, 1987, Kamlesh Kumari was attacked by                E
Shambu Dayal, his brother Prakash Chand accompanied by Lal Singh
in civilian clothes and Sham Lal, Sub-Inspector in uniform accom-
panied by two others. They beat Kamlesh Kumari, tore her clothes
and molested her. Her nine year old son clun~ to his mother to pro-
tect her when Lal Singh took him away and forcibly threw him on the
floor. Lal Singh also asked Shambu Dayal to beat Naresh. Kamlesh          F
Kumari was dragged away to the police station and a criminal case was
imposed upon her of trespass. She was sent to Tihar Jail and her
lawyer got her released on November 16, 1987. Kamlesh Kumari on
her release came back and found that her child, Naresh was in a very
bad condition. The children took shelter at a neighbour's house and
the neighbours had got local doctors to look after Naresh. On the         G
advice of the doctors, Naresh was admitted to Ram-Manohar Lohia
Hospital on November 18, 1987. However, no medical legal case was
registered. Kamlesh Kumari's lawyer tried to get a medical legal case
registered. At last medical legal.case was registered on.November 23,
1987 by the ACP, Patel.Nagar at ll.3Qp.m. In the FIR No. 143/87 the
said ACP had written that she had said ·that no policeman had beaten      H
    492         SUPREMKl::OURT REPORTS              [1989] Supp. 2 S.C.R.

  her son although she had specifically named Lal Singh and others. On
A November26, 1987, Naresh died in hospital and an inquest was carried
  out. This news was published in the Hindi newspapers.

          On December 10, 1987, S.D.M., Vipul Mittra called Kamlesh
    Kumari to his office stating that he was conducting an enquTry'into the
B   facts and circumstances leading to Naresh's death. On December 6,
    1987, the Crime Branch filed its report in the court opposing bail for
    Shambo Dayal. In the said report, it has been stated that the details of
    the D .D. entries mentioned in the bail application itself show conspi-
    racy or connivance of.the local police with the accused. This report was
    annexed as annexure 'C' to these petitions. Kamlesh Kumari and her
    neighbours and lawyer on the day of Naresh's death sat on dharna
C   outside the residence of the Lt. Governor and demanded that a judi-
    cial enquiry be ordered into the death of Kamlesh's son, Naresh. The
    report given by the fact-finding-team of'the Peoples' Union for Demo-
    cratic Rights, into the death of Naresh was also published. The said
    report states that the representatives of the Peoples' Union for Demo-
D   cratic Rights met the S.D.M., Vipul Mittra who told them that he
    would intimate them his findings; but subsequently when they con-
    tacted him it was told that it was a sensitive report and it can be made
    public only by the Lt. Governor. As such the instant writ petitions
    were moved before this Court praying amongst others the issuance of a
    writ for directions directing the respondents to pay Kamlesh Kumari
E   exemplary damages for the death of her son, Naresh.

         On June 13, 1988, this Court directed to implead the Medical
    Superintendent, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi as respon-
    dent No. 4 and also directed the Medical Superintendent to keep the
    record relating to Naresh, son of Kamlesh Kumari in a sealed cover
F   and deposit the same with the Registrar of this Court within two weeks
    from the date of the order. By order dated August 22, 1988 the respon-
    dents were given two weeks time to file counter-affidavit and one
    week's time thereafter was given to the petitioners to file rejoinder.

          Kanwaljit Deol, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters
G   (II), Delhi, on behalf of Commissioner of Police affirmed an affidavit
    in counter wherein it has been stated that:

               "On the basis of the aforesaid complaint ACP/Patel Nagar
               got registered case FIR No. 143 dated 24.11.1987 under
               section 30S/34 IPC, P.S. Anand Parbat, New Delhi and
H              entrusted investigation to Inspector, Vigilance, Central
               SAHEL! v. COMMR. OF POLICE (RAY, J.]                  493

           Dist!., who arrested accused Shambu Dayal, son of Puran
                                                                            A
           Chand on 24. 11. 1987. On 26 .11. 1987 Nare sh expired in
           Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and post-mortem was got
           conducted. The autopsy doctor opined that injuries were
           ante-mortem caused by blunt force impact/possible injuries
           were not sufficient to cause death. Death was due to
           puenuonitis as diagnosed clinically. Offence was changed         B.
           to Section 304/34 IPC."

     It has also been stated therein that Maya Devi was resining in
one room adjacent to room of Kamlesh Kumari for 6-7 months, the
landlords did not issue any rent receipt. It was also stated that:

           " ..... On 13.11.1987 the landlord forcibly got vacated the      c
           room in possession of Maya Devi with the connivance of
           local police which is evident from the DD entry made by
           Asstt. Sub-Inspector, Kishan Lal who visited the spot on
           the information of quarrel between Maya Devi and land-
           lord's men." It has further been stated that on 14.11.1987, D•
           Shambu Dayal got registered a false case under section 448
           IPC to get the above objective and the local police arrested·
           Smt. Kamlesh Kumari the same day. She was not admitted
           to bail despite approach by her relatives. The S.H.O ..
           himself took part in the beatings and the minor child
           (Naresh) of Smt. Kamlesh was also not spared, and was E
           thrown away while he clung to feet of his mother, while
           she was being beaten mercilessly. N are sh sustained severe
           injury in his left leg and could not be attended by the
           doctors in absence of his parents. On 16.11.1987 .only
           Naresh was attended by his mother after release from jail
          ·and by then the child had suffered from old ailments. She p;
           took him to R.M.L. Hospital on the advice of the local
           doctors. The injuries inflicted to Naresh on 14.11.1987
           -c:aused fever and peneumoitis and finally resulted in his
           deaih,- Later on the nature of injury on left leg of the child
           was opined to be grievous one.''
                                                                            G
     The relevant portion of the report dated 5.12.1987 submitted by
Puran Singh, Inspector, Crime Branch, Delhi is quoted hereunder:

           "So far it seems that there is a high level conspiracy in
           getting the rooms of tenants got vacated by the landlord if·
           the accused is-bailed out, itwill
                                           be difficultto.findout the H


                                                           •
     494        SUPREME COURT REPORTS                [1989) Supp. 2 S.C.R.
                                                                                  ,(


                truth. Smt. Shobha and the doctor are already under pres-
A               sure. As the local police is involved in all this episode so
                bailing out the accused will definitely affect the fate of the
                case. The accused should not be bailed out as it is clear case
                u/s 304/120 B l.P .C. The details of DD entries mentioned
                in the bail application itself show the conspiracy or conni-
B               vance of the local police with the accused. Therefore the
                bail is opposed strongly."
           The landlord, Shambu Dayal and Puran Prakash and Lal Singh,
     S.H.O. and Shyam Lal, Sub-Inspector have been impleaded as respon-
     dents by order dated September 20, 1988 in these writ petitions. They
     also filed counter-affidavits.
c          It is now apparent from the report dated 5.12. 1987 of the
     Inspector of the Crime Branch, Delhi as well as the counter-affidavit
     of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi on behalf of the Com-
     missioner of Police, Delhi and also from the fact that the prosecution
     has been launched in connection with the death of Naresh, son of
D    Kamlesh Kumari showing that Naresh was done to death on account of
     the beating and assault by the agency of the sovereign power acting in
     violation and excess of the power vested in such agency. The mother of
     the child, Kamlesh Kumari, in our considered opinion, is so entitled to
     get compensation for the death of her son from the respondent No. 2,
     Delhi Administration.
E         An action for damages lies for bodily harm which includes
    battery, assault, false imprisonment, physical injuries and death. In
    cases of assault, battery and false imprisonment the damages are at
    large and represent a solatlum for the mental pain, distress, indignity,
    loss of liberty and death. As we have held hereinbefore that the son of
    Kamlesh Kumari aged 9 years died due to beating and assault by the
F S.H.O., Lal Singh and as such she is entitled to get the damages forthe
    death of her son. It is well settled now that the State is responsible for
    the tortious• acts of its employees. The respondent No. 2, Delhi
    Administration is liable for payment of compensation to Smt. Kamlesh
  · Kumari for the death of her son due to beating by the S.H.O. of
    Anand Parbat Police Station, Shri Lal Singh.
G
          It is convenient to refer in this connection the decision in Jogin-
    der Kaur v. The Punjab State and Ors., [1969) ACJ 28 at 32 wherein it
    has been observed that:
                 "In the matter of liability of the State for the torts commit-
                 ted by its employees, it is now the settled law that the State
H·


                 •
                SAHEL! v. COMMR. OF POLICE [RAY, J.I                  495

            is liable for tortious acts committed by its employees in the
                                                                             A
            course of their employment."

     In The State of Rajasthan v. Mst. Vidhyawati and Anr., [1962] .
Supp 2 SCR 989 at 1007 has been held that:

            "Viewing the case from the point of view of first principles,    B
            there should be no difficulty in holding that the State
            should be as much liable for tort in respect of a tortious act
            committed by its servant within the scope of his employ-
            ment and functioning as such as any other employer. The
            immunity of the Crown in the United Kingdom, was based
            on the old feudalistic notions of Justice, namely, that the
            King was incapable of doing a wrong, and, therefore, of          c
            authorising or instigating one, and that he could not be
            sued in his own courts. In India, ever since the time of the
            East India Company, the sovereign has been held liable ,to
            be sued in tort or in contract, and the Common Law
            immunity never operated in India ...... "                        D

      In Peoples Union for Democratic Rights through its Secretary and
Anr. v. Police Commissioner, Delhi Police Headquarters and Anr.,
(Writ Petition Cr!. Nos. 401-402 of 1988 orders in which \vere pro-
nounced by this Court on January 13, 1989) one of the labourers who
was taken to the police station for doing some work and on 4i1.li:iand for   E
wages was severely beaten and ultimately succumbed to the'liijuries. It
was held that the State was liable to pay compensation and accordingly
directed that the family of the deceased labourer will be paid
Rs. 75,000 as compensation.
      On a conspectus of these decisions we deem it just and proper to
                                                                             F
direct the Delhi Administration, respondent No .. 2 to pay compensa-
tion to Kamlesh Kumari, mother of the deceased, Naresh a sum of
Rs.75,000 within a period of four weeks from the date of this judg-
ment. The Delhi Administration may take appropriate steps for reco-
very of the amounts paid as compensation or part thereof from the
officers who will be found responsible, if they are so advised. As the
                                                                             G
Police officers are not parties before us, we state that any observation
made by us in justification of this order shall not have any bearing in
any proceedings specially criminal prosecution pending against the
police officials in connection with the death of Naresh. The writ peti-
tions are disposed of accordingly.
N.P.V.                                             Petitions disposed of.    H