(1) THIS petition under articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of india has been filed by Smt. Sheela widow of Sudhakar Yerpude claiming compensation in the sum of Rs. 10 lacs against the respondent-State and its officials on the ground of wrongful confinement, custodial torture and custodial death caused by the police officers of Police Stations Lakadganj and Gittikhadan situated within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police, nagpur.

(2) SUDHAKAR son of Gangadhar Yerpude was a goldsmith carrying on business in purchase, sale and making of golden ornaments at Nagoba Lane, Chitar Oli, Nagpur. The petitioner is the widow of the said sudhakar. In all three children were born out of the wedlock, that is two sons and one daughter. The children are minors and the petitioner and her children were totally dependent on the income of deceased sudhakar for their livelihood and future.

(3) IT is the case of the petitioner that on 9-2-2002 deceased Sudhakar was picked up from his house by the officers of Police Station Lakadganj, Nagpur, and kept in wrongful detention for three days without showing his arrest and producing him before the magistrate within 24 hours f