Custodial Deaths in India

The recurrence of custodial deaths in the country highlights significant issues within the law enforcement system. These exemplify a systemic problem rooted in practices that prioritize force over fairness.

Systemic Failures

• The prevalent issue is not just moral but also systemic, marked by the failure to invest sufficiently in police reform. 
• Significant funds are directed toward policing hardware, with inadequate attention to welfare, training, and psychological care.

Suggestions for Reform

• Reallocate funds to establish district-level mental health units and mandatory counseling.
• Revamp police training to include ethics, human rights, trauma-informed investigation methods, and community policing models.
• Introduce a comprehensive anti-custodial violence law with strict investigation timelines and mandatory video documentation of interrogations.
• Ensure CCTV cameras in custody areas are operational, tamper-proof, and subject to audits.

Broader Implications

• There is a pressing need to redefine the police uniform as a symbol of service and responsibility rather than authority. 
• The deaths of individuals reflect the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent further failures of the state's moral contract with its citizens.

Policy and Action

The call to action is clear: reform is necessary now to prevent future injustices and uphold the justice system's integrity.