PEOPLES' UNION FOR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS versus STATE OF BIHAR & ORS.

PEOPLES' UNION FOR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS versus STATE OF BIHAR & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that compensation of Rs. 20,000 should be paid for every death and Rs. 5,000 for every injured person from the police firing, with adjustment for sums already paid. Other issues raised may be addressed by the petitioner before the Patna High Court.

Parties
Petitioner: Peoples' Union for Democratic Rights; Respondents: State of Bihar & Ors.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
19 December 1986
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition (crl.) No. 369 of 1986 Under Article 32 / Disposition by Supreme Court With Directions
Outcome
Petition disposed of with directions.
Legal Topics
Compensation for Police Firing, Judicial Inquiry, Disclosure Privilege, Settlement of Land Dispute
Constitutional Law Public Interest Litigation Compensation for Police Firing Judicial Inquiry Disclosure Privilege Settlement of Land Dispute

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Parties

Peoples' Union for Democratic Rights

Petitioner

State of Bihar & Ors.

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition (crl.) No. 369 of 1986 Under Article 32 / Disposition by Supreme Court With Directions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether compensation should be paid to victims or their families for deaths and injuries caused by police firing at Arwal.
  2. 2 Whether the writ petition pending before Patna High Court should be transferred to Supreme Court.
  3. 3 Whether disclosure of the judicial inquiry report is warranted.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that compensation of Rs. 20,000 should be paid for every death and Rs. 5,000 for every injured person from the police firing, with adjustment for sums already paid. Other issues raised may be addressed by the petitioner before the Patna High Court.

Court Disposition

Petition disposed of with directions.

Orders

  • Compensation of Rs. 20,000 for each death and Rs. 5,000 for each injured person shall be paid within two months, with adjustment for any amount already paid.
  • Petitioner may apply to the High Court in the pending or a new writ petition on other prayers, including seeking disclosure of the inquiry report and determination of privilege.