Question : Custodial Deaths

(a) whether there has been an increase in the incidents of custodial deaths in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the total number of such cases reported and persons convicted along with the action taken against the policemen responsible for the said incidents during the last three years, State-wise;

(c) whether the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and various State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) have received representations/complaints in this regard;

(d) if so, the details and status thereof during the said period, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government is considering the recommendations of the 273rd Report of the Law Commission that India ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture and pass a law to prevent torture and if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Union Government has issued directives to the State Governments and Police Departments in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
and

(g) the steps taken by the Government to curb the menace of custodial deaths in the country?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

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LS.US.Q.NO.3771 FOR 16.07.2019
(a) to (d) : As per information received from National Human Rights Commission, details of cases registered in respect of custodial deaths are given at Annexure. NHRC has recommended disciplinary action against 20 erring public servants during the last three years. No record of the cases of conviction is maintained by the Commission.
(e) & (f) : The 273rd Report of the Law Commission along with the draft Bill was circulated to the State Governments/ UTs for their views. This Ministry has submitted a status report along with comments received from the State Governments to the Supreme Court in a related court case.
(g) : NHRC carried out visits of various prisons from time to time for monitoring the conditions of undertrials and prisoners. NHRC has also made efforts to sensitize officials through workshops, seminars and camps.











Annexure

Statement in respect of part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3771 for 16.07.2019 showing total number of cases registered in respect of Custodial Deaths (Police & Judicial) during the last three years.
No. of deaths registered
Year Police Custody Judicial Custody
2016-17 145 1616
2017-18 146 1636
2018-19 136 1797

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