The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission has recommended INR 5 lakh compensation in a custodial death case at Zunheboto Police Station, citing police negligence.
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KOHIMA — Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has recommended a compensation of INR 5 lakh to the parents of an accused who died by suicide while in custody at Zunheboto Police Station.
The commission stated that the compensation amount should be shared equally by the police personnel on duty on May 16, 2025—the day the accused died—and the state’s Home/Police department.
It further directed the director general of police (DGP) and the home commissioner to coordinate and ensure that the payment is made to the parents of the deceased within one month.
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The commission added that compliance reports are expected from both the officers on or before March 15, when the matter will be listed again.
Case background
On May 10, 2025, Zunheboto Police registered an FIR after receiving a complaint alleging robbery and attempted murder at Yezami village.
Two persons—Atovi K Zhimo and Tohekhu Shohe (now deceased)—were arrested in connection with the case and lodged separately in the male and female lock-ups. They were kept in custody under police remand orders passed by the district judicial magistrate from May 11 to the 13th and again from May 14 to the 16th.
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During this period, one of the accused, Tohekhu Shohe, died by suicide in a toilet attached to the lock-up on May 16.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the custodial death, the commission conducted an inquiry and recorded statements from all witnesses, including police personnel on duty from the time of arrest until the day of the accused’s death.
After examining the statements, the commission passed its recommendation on February 4, 2026.
‘When a person dies in police custody, it is not only necessary to determine whether police personnel were directly involved in causing the death, but also whether the death resulted from negligence on the part of those responsible for the accused’s safety, as mandated under the Protection of Human Rights Act,’ the commission observed.
It stated that if the 16 CCTV cameras installed in and around Zunheboto Police Station had been properly monitored and personnel on duty had remained vigilant, they could have noticed the accused’s movements and prevented the incident.
It concluded that the police personnel on duty on May 16, 2025—including the officer-in-charge and his assistant—were negligent and deficient in performing their duties, and are therefore accountable for the custodial death of Tohekhu Shohe.