Delhi govt announces compensation for unnatural prison deaths

Delhi government notified the Scheme for Payment of Compensation on Account of Death of Prisoners in Delhi Prison, 2025, covering unnatural deaths in prisons.

Compensation ranges from ₹5 lakh for suicide or negligence by authorities to ₹7.5 lakh for deaths due to inmate clashes or torture/assault by prison staff.

The scheme excludes deaths from natural causes, illness, escape attempts, or disasters, and follows National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines.

Jail superintendent must submit inquiry and post-mortem reports to the director general (prisons); a committee headed by the DG will review and recommend compensation.

After disbursal, the jail superintendent will inform the NHRC; Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted the government's commitment to timely relief.