Gujarat tops the country in custodial deaths with 95 accused dying in custody

Gujarat continues to remain at the top in custodial deaths, raising serious questions about policing practices in the state. According to data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), 95 accused have died in police custody over the past six years – a disturbing and alarming trend. Along with these rising numbers, the functioning of the police force itself has come under intense scrutiny.

Despite Supreme Court orders, CCTV cameras in police stations remain non-functional or have not been installed at all. This has allegedly enabled custodial torture, inhuman treatment and denial of timely medical care, which have contributed to several custodial deaths. 

In 2018 and 2020, the Supreme Court had directed that CCTV cameras and recording systems be installed in all police stations and offices of investigative agencies, including the CBI and ED. However, Gujarat has seen only partial implementation of these orders.

Even today, many police stations in the state either lack CCTV cameras or have them switched off. This raises serious questions: If the police and investigative agencies are functioning fairly, why do custodial death cases keep emerging? Why is there a lack of transparency in the investigative process?

Between 2017 and 2023, custodial deaths in Gujarat were recorded as follows:

2017–18: 14 deaths

2018–19: 13 deaths

2019–20: 12 deaths

2021–22: 24 deaths

2022–23: 15 deaths

Notably, custodial death cases doubled in 2021–22.

Rights groups allege that those who suffer the most custodial torture, inhuman treatment and abuse belong to economically weaker sections, backward communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and nomadic tribes. They claim that atrocities are being committed under the cover of police uniform, with vulnerable communities facing disproportionate brutality.