The Common Cause and Lokniti-CSDS report reveals how Muslims are unfairly targeted, tortured, and killed in custody, with no police accountability
NEW DELHI – In India, a country that prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy, the lives of its Muslim minority have come under increasing scrutiny—often to their detriment. A new, unsettling report has highlighted the disturbing police brutality faced by Muslims, exposing how deeply ingrained prejudice within law enforcement leads to unjust torture, custodial deaths, and widespread discrimination.
Released by Common Cause and Lokniti-CSDS, the “Status of Policing in India Report 2025” (SPIR 2025) unveils a troubling reality: police violence has become systemic, with Muslims and other marginalised communities bearing the brunt of this state-sponsored aggression.
The findings of the SPIR 2025 report are shocking. It confirms what many have long suspected: Muslims in India are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, subjected to violence, and often denied justice. The report states that violence against Muslims is not isolated but a recurring problem, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, where right-wing ideologies associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindutva forces dominate. Muslims, along with Dalits and other marginalised communities, are frequently labelled as criminals based on their identities rather than any actual wrongdoing.
The report explains that these acts of violence range from physical abuse to more severe incidents, including custodial killings. Shockingly, between 2011 and 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 1,107 custodial deaths in India, yet not a single police officer has faced punishment for any of these deaths.
Police violence against Muslims is not a new phenomenon. According to the report, it has become a deeply embedded part of the country’s policing system. Whether dealing with minor allegations like theft or curfew violations, Muslims are often subjected to unwarranted police aggression. They face beatings, humiliation, and abuse, sometimes even during routine interrogations. Additionally, access to legal counsel is often denied to Muslim detainees, with many suffering in silence, unable to seek justice.
The report also highlights specific cases illustrating the brutality of the police. One such incident involved Faisal, a young Muslim man who police officers beat during the COVID-19 lockdown in Uttar Pradesh’s city of Unnao for simply stepping out to sell vegetables. His “crime” was his Muslim identity, which made him a target in a climate of rising Islamophobia. These incidents are not isolated; they reflect a much larger pattern of systemic violence that permeates the Indian policing system.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the SPIR 2025 report is the revelation of the deeply ingrained prejudices held by police officers. When asked which communities were most likely to commit crimes, a majority of Hindu police officers responded that Muslims and Christians were naturally inclined to criminal behaviour. This unfounded belief, rooted in centuries of communal bias, fuels much of the violence Muslims face at the hands of law enforcement.
These prejudices are not limited to a few rogue officers; they are widespread throughout the police force, especially in BJP-ruled states. In Gujarat, for instance, two-thirds of police officers hold the belief that Dalits are naturally criminals, while 55% of Hindu officers have the same belief about Muslims. These discriminatory views are troubling and play a significant role in justifying illegal actions, such as arbitrary arrests and custodial abuse.
What makes this situation even more disturbing is the near-total impunity enjoyed by police officers who commit these atrocities. Despite the horrifying statistics—1,107 custodial deaths between 2011 and 2022—not a single officer has been convicted for involvement in these deaths. This lack of accountability sends a chilling message to the police: they can kill, torture, and abuse minorities without fear of legal consequences.
The SPIR 2025 report emphasises that this is not a failure of the system but a deliberate attempt to shield law enforcement officers from accountability. The report reveals that even when human rights violations are reported to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), they often go unaddressed. For example, in 2023, the NHRC documented 151 custodial deaths, but no police officers faced any action.
In many cases, the violence inflicted on Muslims by police is deliberately covered up. Doctors are often pressured not to include evidence of police brutality in their medical reports, enabling officers to avoid scrutiny. The lack of independent investigations and transparency further fuels the abuse of power.
Moreover, the failure to adhere to basic legal procedures—such as ensuring arrested individuals are produced before a magistrate within 24 hours—is rampant. According to the report, only 56% of officers comply with this requirement, and in states like Karnataka, the situation is even worse. These breaches of the law highlight the systemic nature of the violence and an utter disregard for human rights.
The SPIR 2025 report also underscores the role political ideologies play in shaping police behaviour. Many officers believe they are performing a “national service” by targeting Muslims, with politicians rewarding them for their misdeeds! This dangerous mindset is especially prevalent in BJP-ruled states, where laws like the anti-cow slaughter legislation have been used to justify violence against Muslims. In Gujarat, 51% of police officers admitted to supporting mob violence in cases involving alleged cow slaughter, often targeting Muslims.
The report makes it clear that these ideologies have transformed policing from a profession meant to uphold the law into a tool for advancing political and religious agendas. The rise of Hindu nationalism has not only fuelled violence against Muslims but has also normalised the idea that such violence is acceptable—even necessary—for the “greater good” of the nation.
One key finding of the report is the absence of a specific law to criminalise torture in India. Although India signed the UN Convention against Torture in 1997, no separate anti-torture legislation has been enacted. This legal loophole serves to protect those who engage in custodial violence, allowing them to act with impunity. Without a law specifically addressing torture, it is nearly impossible to hold police officers accountable for their actions.
The report also highlights the failure of the judicial system to hold officers accountable. Despite the existence of laws meant to protect individuals from torture and violence, they are rarely enforced when it comes to police officers. The lack of political will to implement police reforms further exacerbates the situation, ensuring that police brutality remains unchecked.
While the SPIR 2025 report identifies these flaws, it also offers several recommendations for much-needed reforms. These include the introduction of a separate anti-torture law, independent investigations into custodial deaths, and mandatory human rights training for police officers. Most importantly, the report calls for an end to the targeting of specific communities, particularly Muslims, during policing activities.
The authors of the report also emphasise the need to address the deep-rooted biases within the police force. Mohd Aasif, one of the researchers involved in the study, spoke exclusively to Clarion India about the immense challenges faced during the research process. “It was a challenging and tiring task,” Aasif admitted, “but it has yielded some very important and startling revelations that can serve as an important document for human rights and policy-making institutions.”
“Most police officers already have a preconceived notion that Muslims are naturally prone to crimes,” Aasif pointed to the findings of the report. “This attitude needs to be reformed, and it can only be changed through a serious commitment to human rights, education, and reform at all levels of law enforcement.”
This deeply ingrained mindset is not just an isolated problem but a systemic issue requiring urgent attention, Aasif concluded. “The findings of this report underscore the urgent need for comprehensive police reforms. and the established independent bodies need to investigate custodial deaths and violence with more rigour. Without a change in attitudes and legal accountability, the situation will only worsen.”
The Status of Policing in India Report 2025 paints a bleak picture of police brutality and systemic violence in India, particularly against Muslims. Despite constitutional promises of equality and justice, Muslims continue to face discrimination, torture, and death at the hands of law enforcement. The failure to hold officers accountable, coupled with the deeply ingrained prejudice within the police force, leaves little hope for justice.
However, the report also provides a glimmer of hope. By exposing these atrocities and calling for urgent reforms, it serves as a rallying cry for policymakers, human rights organisations, and civil society to demand change. The fight for justice and accountability is far from over, but reports like SPIR 2025 are an essential first step in ensuring that India’s Muslim community receives the respect, justice, and equality they deserve.
