E/CN.4/1996/35/Add.1 page 54 271. The Government replied that a post-mortem had found the cause of death in the case of Romancel Deep to be suicidal hanging. The magisterial inquiry had found no evidence of excesses on the part of the police and had determined that his body had been disposed of in accordance with the desire and consent of his family members. 272. Manoj Kumar and Puroshottam Kumar, alias Punnu, both residents of Chechaul village, Naubatpur, Bihar, were reportedly beaten on 13 June 1994 by police officers from Naubatpur and paraded around the village with placards placed around their necks reading "I am a killer". They were allegedly tortured at Naubatpur police station and were declared dead on arrival at hospital. Two officers alleged to be involved in their deaths were transferred. 273. According to the Government, preliminary inquiries had found four police personnel guilty of a number of charges, including murder, in the cases of Manoj Kumar and Puroshottam Kumar. A case registered against them was under investigation. 274. Nanak Chand, a resident of Varoli village, Palwal, Haryana, and a member of the Balmiki caste, who was arrested on 28 January 1994 on suspicion of rape and abduction of a minor, was allegedly tortured and died in police custody on 1 February 1994. The deputy commissioner was reported to have ordered a magisterial inquiry and to have sanctioned an ex gratia payment of 40,000 rupees to his next of kin. An assistant superintendent and two constables were reportedly suspended in connection with the incident. 275. Abdul Kareem, from Achankavala, near Thodupuzha, Kerala, was reportedly arrested by plain-clothes police officers on suspicion of theft on 14 April 1994. He was allegedly tortured. A post-mortem report revealed death by hanging. Three officers were suspended for dereliction of duty in the incident. 276. The Government replied that a petition had been filed by the widow of Abdul Kareem in the High Court and the matter was sub judice. On the basis of a preliminary inquiry, a head constable, a subinspector and a sentry were suspended. 277. Rajkumar Jatav, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly beaten by police officers on 1 July 1994 and taken to hospital in Gwalior, where he died on 8 July. Three police officers charged with his murder were said to have absconded. The victim’s family were reportedly given monetary compensation and jobs by the Government. 278. The Government replied that a subinspector, a head constable and a constable had been found to be responsible in the alleged torture and the case was sub judice. Compensation had been paid to the relations of the deceased. 279. W. Deven Singh, a resident of Manipur, was reportedly arrested by police officers on 16 February 1994 on suspicion of sheltering members of an illegal organization. He was allegedly tortured to death at Nambol police station. A magisterial inquiry concluded that his death was due to cardiac arrest, but