According to the report, many interviewees acknowledged that custodial torture is a frequent occurrence, with victims primarily coming from poor and marginalised communities.
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A recent report has revealed that Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis are disproportionately affected by custodial torture in India. Additionally, a significant percentage of police personnel believe that minority communities are more likely to engage in criminal activities.
The report, titled “Status of Policing in India Report 2025: Police Torture and (Un)Accountability”, was released on Wednesday by civil rights advocacy group Common Cause at the India International Centre in the national capital.
According to the report, many interviewees acknowledged that custodial torture is a frequent occurrence, with victims primarily coming from poor and marginalised communities. A lawyer described this trend, stating that “all the faceless and voiceless” are targeted. The groups most commonly subjected to torture include Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, illiterate individuals, and slum dwellers. Lawyers emphasised how poverty and social marginalisation influence the police’s targeting of vulnerable communities.
The study surveyed 8,276 police personnel of various ranks across 82 locations, including police stations, police lines, and courts, in 17 states and union territories. Responses were collected from both urban and rural areas, covering state capitals, district headquarters, and towns of different sizes. The survey encompassed constables, upper subordinates (from Assistant Sub-Inspector to Deputy Superintendent of Police), and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with doctors, lawyers, and judges who interact with both the police and individuals in custody.
Justification of Torture
The survey found that 30% of police personnel have a high propensity to justify torture, while another 32% have a moderate propensity. IPS officers were the most likely to justify torture (34%), with officers who frequently conduct interrogations showing an even higher tendency (37%).
Among states, Jharkhand (50%) and Gujarat (49%) recorded the highest proportion of police personnel who justify torture, whereas Kerala had the lowest (1%).
Additionally, 30% of police personnel believe that the use of ‘third-degree methods’ is justified against accused individuals in serious criminal cases, while 9% believe it is justified even in minor offences. IPS officers and officers who frequently conduct interrogations were the most likely to endorse the use of third-degree methods.
The report further highlighted that 11% of police personnel believe that hitting or slapping family members of an accused is absolutely justified, while 30% said it is sometimes justified. Moreover, 25% of respondents condone slapping “uncooperative” witnesses, and 9% support using third-degree methods against them.
Lack of Accountability
Between 2018 and 2022, legal cases were registered against police personnel in only 10% of reported deaths in police custody. Of these cases, chargesheets were filed in just 12%, and there were no convictions during this period.
A 2019 report by the National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT) documented 124 cases of deaths in police custody, revealing that 60% of victims belonged to marginalized communities, including Dalits, Adivasis, and Muslims. Many of these victims worked as laborers, security guards, rag-pickers, and drivers.
Targeting Muslims
The report also pointed out that Muslims are frequently subjected to torture aimed at insulting their religion and identity. Citing academic research, it noted that torture in India is often used to label and subjugate entire communities. Specifically, Muslim men suspected of terrorism are subjected to physical and psychological torture, including stripping and religious insults, as a deliberate attempt to undermine their religious and masculine identity.
A significant 18% of police personnel surveyed expressed the belief that Muslims are “naturally prone” to criminal activities. The survey also found that Hindu police personnel were more likely to hold this view, with over half of them endorsing this belief to varying extents. Among Hindu officers, 19% strongly believed that Muslims are naturally prone to committing crimes, while 34% held this belief to some extent. Sikh police officers were the least likely to share this perception.
The findings of the report highlight systemic biases and the urgent need for police reform to ensure accountability and protect marginalised communities from custodial violence.
