Dev Darshan Sud, J.

1. This petition has been instituted by the wife of deceased Shri Gulab Singh claiming compensation for wrongful death caused to her husband while he was in police custody. The petitioner has approached this Court on the allegation that her husband, who was about 28 years old, had gone to Shoghi to meet the Junior Engineer of the Public Works Department. On the evening of 8.1.2001, a telephonic call was received from Assistant Sub Inspector, Kandaghat by one Shri Hira Nand asking him to call Jagdish Chand, brother of the deceased. Information was imparted by the Assistant Sub Inspector on telephone itself that deceased Gulab Singh had been arrested in an excise case and two boxes of illicit liquor had been found in his possession. The petitioner alleges that Jagdish Chand, brother of the deceased, was informed that the deceased had jumped near Boileauganj from a running bus and had sustained injuries. His condition was serious and Jagdish Chand should reach Snowdon Hospital, Shimla. A criminal case under the Punjab Excise Act was reported to have been registered against him. The petitioner pleads that Jagdish Chand (brother of the deceased) hired a privat