669 deaths in police custody in the past 5 years: Ministry of the Interior

New Delhi:

In the past five years, from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2022, a total of 669 deaths in police custody were recorded across the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the Rajya Sabha.

Union Home Secretary Nityanand Rai informed the House in a written response, citing data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Mr Rai said a total of 175 deaths in police custody have been reported in 2021-2022, 100 in 2020-2021, 112 in 2019-2021, 136 in 2018-2019 and 146 in 2017-2018.

According to the information provided by the NHRC, Mr. Rai further said, “The NHRC recommended monetary relief in the amount of Rs 5,80,74,998 in 201 cases and disciplinary action in one case during the period from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2022. , in the incidents of deaths in police custody.

However, the minister authorized that police and public order are subjects of state under the seventh schedule to the Constitution of India.

He said that it is primarily the responsibility of the relevant state government to ensure the protection of human rights.

But, Mr Rai said, the central government issues advisory opinions from time to time and has also enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHR) of 1993, which establishes the establishment of the NHRC and state human rights commissions to deal with alleged human rights issues. to research. violations by officials.

When the NHRC receives complaints of alleged human rights violations, the minister said, the Commission takes action under provisions set out in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

“The NHRC also conducts workshops and seminars from time to time to sensitize officials to a better understanding of human rights and, in particular, the protection of the rights of persons in custody,” said Mr. Rai.

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