CUSTODIAL DEATHS AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IN INDIA

Custodial deaths in India highlight a serious disconnect between the law and actual justice.
These aren't just one-off events, they serve as painful reminders of what can go wrong when
state power isn't properly checked and accountability is lacking. This study delves into
custodial deaths in India, particularly focusing on police accountability. It raises the question
of why these deaths keep happening despite the legal protections and judicial guidelines that
are supposed to safeguard against them. It evaluates the constitutional validity under article of
14, 20, 21 of Constitution of India, focusing on right to life, personal liberty, dignity and
equality. The research examines factors like custodial torture, negligence, the delay in
providing medical care, shoddy investigations, and a culture of silence within institutions that
allow these tragedies to keep recurring. Additionally, it looks into the struggles victims’
families face when seeking truth and justice in a system that can often feel slow, unclear, and
resistant to change. By scrutinizing legal standards, official documentation, and significant
cases, the study argues that real accountability involves more than just punishing those
responsible after a death; it needs proactive measures, transparency, and a genuine respect for
human dignity throughout all levels of policing