The Madras High Court strongly criticized police brutality in a case involving the recent custodial death of a Dalit man, Ajith Kumar, in Tamil Nadu. This incident reflects a recurring pattern of police excesses and lack of accountability in custodial death cases across India.
Key Data and Trends (2016–2022):
- Total deaths in custody (India): 11,656 reported in six years.
- Tamil Nadu: Highest among southern States with 490 reported deaths.
- Uttar Pradesh: Highest overall with 2,630 such deaths.
- Note: Not all deaths are due to torture; some may be natural or accidental.
Lack of Accountability:
- From 2017–2022:
- 345 judicial/magisterial inquiries were ordered in custodial death cases.
- 123 police personnel were arrested, and 79 were chargesheeted.
- Convictions: Zero convictions in custodial death cases nationwide.
- In 74 human rights violation cases against police (illegal detention, torture):
- 41 were chargesheeted, only 3 convicted in five years.
Disproportionate Impact on Dalits (SCs):
- In Tamil Nadu (2022):
- 38.5% of preventive detainees were from Scheduled Castes (SCs), though their population share is only 20%.
- Tamil Nadu had 2,129 detenues — nearly half of India’s total.
- This suggests a disproportionate use of detention laws against marginalised communities.
Examples of Brutality in Tamil Nadu:
- Ajith Kumar’s death (2024): Sparked judicial concern and public outrage.
- Previous cases:
- Sathankulam deaths (2020): Father-son duo died in custody.
- Ambasamudram torture case (2023): Also drew national criticism.
Concerns and Challenges:
- Impunity: Arrests do not lead to convictions, allowing systemic abuse to persist.
- Judicial delay: Inquiries take years; victims’ families struggle for justice.
- Legal loopholes: Weak implementation of custodial safeguards under existing laws.
Conclusion:
The high number of custodial deaths, especially in Tamil Nadu, with zero convictions, highlights a major gap in police accountability. Urgent reforms, better legal enforcement, and protection for vulnerable groups like SCs are crucial to uphold justice and human rights.
