Data from the NCRB reports indicates that there has been no conviction of Police Personnel for Human Rights Violations since 2018. Data also indicates that while the number of cases registered with NHRC in respect of deaths in police and judicial custody has increased, the number of cases in which monetary relief is recommended by NHRC has decreased. The recent death of MD Khadeer Khan from Telangana allegedly due to the police torture in custody has again put the spotlight on the custodial torture and police highhandedness. Custodial tortures and deaths destroy the very fabric of democracy and violate the basic rights of the citizens. Despite adequate checks and balances, the cases of custodial tortures and deaths have not been reduced. Simply put, custodial death refers to any death of a person while they are in the care of the police or the judicial system. This severe type of human rights violation affects people everywhere, regardless of their gender or age. However, there is a strong bias towards poor and marginalized sections that is well reflected in the profile of victims of custodial tortures. In India, this has escalated into a very severe and concerning issue. In today’s story, we look at some data on custodial violence in India. Custodial deaths remain higher despite serious measures. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) collates data from the states and Union Territories on deaths in police custody. It includes the death of persons in remand as well as the death of persons who are not on remand. The data from 2012 indicates that though there is a decline in the number of deaths in police custody, this decline is not substantial. The highest number of deaths was recorded in 2013 with 118 deaths followed by 109 in 2012 and 100 in 2017. The year 2021 recorded eighty-eight deaths in police custody. The data also throws up some interesting trends in custodial deaths. On average, more than 60% of the deaths in police custody are of persons who are not on remand. It indicates the severity of torture unleashed on individuals not on remand. Further, six deaths in 2021 are directly due to the injuries sustained during police custody due to physical assault by police, rising from one death in 2020. No policemen convicted for custodial deaths from 2018. Custodial deaths represent a system of oppression and authority. It is the worst form of police excess. It is said that the prudent exercise of power by police is not just knowing the extent of the power but also its limits. However, despite the checks and balances, when the custodian of the law themselves become law-breakers and there is no punishment for their wrong-doings, there is minimal hope for common citizens in the policing system. The data on the number of cases against police personnel for human rights violations indicates that there is a very poor conviction rate. In fact, in 2017, three police personnel were convicted and from 2018 to 2021, no policeman was convicted for human rights violation. This abysmal conviction rate represents the lack of accountability in the system for such violence. Role of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) According to the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects. It is the duty of the concerned State Government to ensure that human rights are protected. Nonetheless, the Central Government periodically issues warnings and has also passed the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHR), 1993, which mandates the establishment of the NHRC and State Human Rights Commissions to investigate claims of violations of human rights by public servants. When the NHRC receives complaints alleging abuses of human rights, the Commission responds in accordance with the guidelines established by the 1993 Protection of Human Rights Act. Highest number of cases registered at NHRC about death in custody in 2021-22 As indicated earlier, NHRC has the statutory power to initiate proceedings either Suo motu or through the complaints it receives. The details of cases reported in respect of custodial deaths indicate that the highest number of cases regarding death in police custody as well as judicial custody were registered in 2021-22. This is the highest since 2013-14. A total of 1235 cases against deaths in police custody and 15,458 cases against deaths in judicial custody are reported by NHRC from 2013-14 to 2021-22. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are among the top states in which a higher number of cases about deaths in custody are registered with NHRC.