Rajasthan Logs 20 Custodial Deaths in Two Years: Govt Report

Quick Summary

• Rajasthan recorded 20 custodial deaths in police lock-ups between August 2023 and August 2025; six were suicides, while 12 were linked to health issues like heart attacks.
• Othre causes included a fall during an escape attempt and one disputed death. Deaths were attributed to chest pain, heatstroke, abdominal pain, or hanging incidents inside lock-ups.
• Inquiries into these deaths are ongoing – only seven out of the 20 cases are resolved, with investigations attributing them to natural causes or suicides without fault found in police personnel.
• Disciplinary actions have been taken against some policemen for negligence: transfers, suspensions, denial of increments for a year, and departmental notices issued.
• The Supreme Court has initiated suo motu action concerning custodial deaths and plans to examine the implementation of its earlier directive on installing CCTV cameras in police stations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Custodial deaths remain a critical issue that highlights systemic challenges within India’s policing practices. while official inquiries into many cases absolve police personnel from wrongdoing and mark these deaths as either natural or self-inflicted acts like suicide, patterns such as lapses in standard operating procedures (e.g., availability of items easily misused) raise concerns over compliance. The disciplinary measures noted suggest accountability exists but often stops short at punitive transfers or minor penalties.

The Supreme Court’s suo motu cognizance could push forward reforms aimed at increasing openness through mandatory CCTV surveillance in stations-a measure crucial for ensuring detainee safety.This issue draws attention not just regionally but also nationally as part of broader discussions about human rights in law enforcement. Rajasthan’s report serves as a call for consistent monitoring mechanisms across India’s states to address preventable custodial fatalities effectively.

read more: The Hindu