76 custodial deaths in 11 months, Tamil Nadu leads southern states: Report

The finding, based on the Central government’s statistics, was revealed in the Torture Update India, a report by Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) that was released on Tuesday, observed as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The report noted that a total of 1,674 custodial deaths – at a rate of five deaths per day – were reported across the country during this period. Of that total, as many as 1,530 happened in judicial custody while the remaining persons died in police custody. 

The report is based on statistics that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs placed in Rajya Sabha.  According to the report, there were 76 custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu, which has the dubious distinction of topping the list among southern States. Among those, 65 people died while in judicial custody, and the rest in police detention. 

Among other southern states, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala reported 35 custodial deaths each, while Telangana had 17 such deaths and Karnataka witnessed 15 deaths. There was no custodial death during the 11 months in Puducherry. 

Across the country, Uttar Pradesh led in custodial excesses with as many as 374 deaths, followed by Maharashtra (137) and West Bengal (132). 

ACHR noted that India must commit to ratify the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and place the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017, before the upcoming monsoon session to address the menace of torture in the country. The ratification of UNCAT is also indispensable if India is serious in extraditing fugitives from foreign countries, it further said.