Custodial violence refers to abuse or torture by public servants against persons in custody. In India, recurring custodial deaths and low convictions highlight serious gaps in policing, accountability, and human rights protection.

BulletsIn

• Custodial violence means abuse by police against arrested or detained persons

• 1,727 custodial deaths reported between 2001–2018; only 26 convictions

• Violates Articles 20, 21, and 22 of the Indian Constitution

• Supreme Court calls custodial torture a grave Article 21 violation

• Forms include physical, psychological, and sexual violence

• Driven by pressure to solve cases, manpower shortage, weak training

• Political influence and public pressure worsen police misconduct

• India lacks a dedicated anti-torture law

• Custodial violence damages public trust, harms mental health

• Reforms needed: training, technology, oversight, UN Torture Convention ratification