**Executive Summary**
The Government of NCT of Delhi has notified the “Scheme for payment of compensation on account of death of prisoners in Delhi Prison, 2025,” effective from August 4, 2026. Issued following directions from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the policy establishes a framework for providing financial relief to the legal heirs of prisoners who suffer unnatural deaths while in custody. The scheme outlines specific compensation scales, eligibility criteria, and a multi-tiered approval process involving a specialized committee and the Administrative Secretary.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Applicability and Exclusions**
* The scheme applies exclusively to unnatural deaths of prisoners occurring within Delhi jails on or after the date of notification.
* Compensation is not admissible for natural deaths, including those caused by illness.
* Deaths occurring during escape attempts from jails or lawful custody are excluded.
* Deaths resulting from disasters or calamities are not covered under this scheme.
**Compensation Structure**
* **Rs 7.5 Lakh:** Payable for deaths caused by quarrels among prisoners or due to torture/beating by prison staff.
* **Rs 5.0 Lakh:** Payable for deaths resulting from suicide, negligence of duty by prison officers/officials, or negligence by medical/para-medical staff.
**Procedural Requirements**
* **Reporting:** The concerned Jail Superintendent must submit a detailed report to the Director General (DG) of Prisons, including the Magisterial Inquiry Report, Post-Mortem Report, and the prisoner's medical history.
* **Review Committee:** A committee headed by the DG (Prisons)—including the AIG, RMO, DCA, and Law Officer—will meet at least once a quarter to review cases and recommend compensation.
* **Final Approval:** Recommended proposals must be sent to the Administrative Secretary, Home Department, GNCT of Delhi, for final approval.
* **NHRC Notification:** The Jail Superintendent is required to inform the NHRC once the compensation has been disbursed to the next of kin.
**Impact Analysis**
**Next of Kin / Legal Heirs of Deceased Prisoners**
**Impact**
They are the primary beneficiaries, receiving financial compensation between Rs 5.0 Lakh and Rs 7.5 Lakh in the event of a qualified unnatural custodial death.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with prison authorities to provide necessary identification and legal heirship documentation to receive disbursed funds.
**Jail Superintendent**
**Impact**
Accountable for the mandatory documentation and reporting of every custodial death.
**Action Required**
Must compile comprehensive case files (inquiry and medical reports) for the DG (Prisons) and ensure the NHRC is formally notified after compensation disbursement.
**Director General (Prisons) and Committee Members**
**Impact**
Responsible for the administrative oversight and evaluation of compensation claims.
**Action Required**
Must convene quarterly committee meetings to review reports, recommend compensation amounts, and forward proposals to the Administrative Secretary for approval.
**Administrative Secretary (Home Department), GNCT of Delhi**
**Impact**
Acts as the final approving authority for financial disbursements under this scheme.
**Action Required**
Review and grant formal approval for compensation proposals submitted by the DG (Prisons) committee.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for payment of compensation on account of death of prisoners in Delhi Prison, 2025: The primary policy governing the payment of financial compensation to the next of kin for unnatural deaths of prisoners occurring in Delhi jails.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body whose directions on custodial death policies mandated the formulation and notification of this scheme.
Director General of Prisons, Delhi: The primary administrative authority who heads the committee responsible for reviewing custodial death cases and recommending compensation.
Delhi Jails: The correctional facilities within the National Capital Territory of Delhi that define the geographical and jurisdictional scope of the policy.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33002/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99
भारत सरकार
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
एस.जी.-डी.एxलxx.G-अID.-H0x5x0x 82026-275201
SG-DLxx-xEG-0ID50E8xx2x0 26-275201
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
प्राजधकार स े प्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 217] दिल्ली, मगं लवार, अगस्ट्त 4, 2026/श्रावण 13, 1948 [रा.रा.रा.क्षे.दि. सं. 147
No. 217] DELHI, TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026/SHRAVAN 13, 1948 [N. C. T. D. No. 147
भाग IV
PART IV
राष्ट्रीय रािधानी राज्य क्षेत्र दिल्ली सरकार
GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
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HOME (GENERAL) DEPARTMENT
NOTIFICATION
Delhi, the 3rd August, 2026
F. No. 15/07/2024/Home(G)/7272-7280.—"In pursuance of the directions issued by the National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) vide communication dated 06.09.2023 regarding formulation of policy for payment of
compensation in cases of custodial deaths, the Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to
notify the scheme for payment of compensation on account of death of prisoners confined in the jails of Delhi."
1. Short title and commencement: This scheme shall be called "Scheme for payment of compensation on
account of death of prisoners in Delhi Prison, 2025"
2. It shall come into force on the date of its publication in Delhi Gazette.[PART IV DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY 3
3. This scheme shall be applicable only in respect of those prisoner(s) who suffer unnatural death in the jails
of Delhi on or after the date of notification of this scheme.
4. The compensation shall be paid in the event of death of prisoner while in custody in any jail within the
National Capital Territory of Delhi.
5. Compensation will not be admissible in cases of natural deaths including death due to illness.
6. Compensation will not be admissible in the following cases of unnatural deaths:-
(i) If the death occurs during escape from jails or from lawful custody outside the jails.
(ii) If the death occurs due to disaster/calamity.
7. Compensation will be paid to the next of kin or legal heirs of prisoners on account of unnatural deaths as
mentioned in the table given below:—
S No Category Amount to be paid
(i) Due to quarrel among prisoner Rs 7.5 Lakh
(ii) Due to torture/beating by Prison staff Rs 7.5 Lakh
(iii) Due to negligence in duty by Prison Officers/Officials Rs 5.0 Lakh
(iv) Due to negligence by Medical/Para Medical Rs 5.0 Lakh
Officers/Officials
(v) Due to suicide committed by prisoners Rs 5.0 Lakh
8. The Superintendent of the Jail concerned shall send a detailed report along with a copy of the Magisterial
Inquiry Report, Post-Mortem Report, final cause of death, medical history at the time of admission in jail
and details of medical treatment, if any, given to the prisoner, prior to his custodial death, to the Director
General of Prisons, Delhi.
9. Simultaneously, based on the above report the Compensation amount (if any) will be released to the next
of kin as recommended by the Committee headed by DG (Prisons) including AIG (Delhi Prisons), RMO
(Delhi Prisons), DCA (Delhi Prisons) and Law Officer (Delhi Prisons). The above Committee shall meet
to consider cases of custodial death at least once in a quarter or as depending on the exigencies.
10. Once the compensation has been recommended by the Committee headed by DG (Prisons) to the next of
kin of deceased in accordance with the policy, a proposal shall be sent to the Administrative Secretary of
the Department, GNCT of Delhi for approval of compensation.
11. Once, compensation is disbursed to the next of kin of deceased, the concerned Jail Superintendent shall
inform the National Human Rights Commission of the same.
By Order and in the Name of Lt. Governor
Of The National Capital Territory of Delhi,
BHOOP SINGH, Dy. Secy. (Home)
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.