Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 2: Maharashtra recorded the highest number of custodial deaths in India in 2023, with 17 cases, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report released on Tuesday. Of these, seven individuals died by suicide while in custody, and 10 others succumbed to illnesses in hospitals. Alarmingly, 13 of these deaths occurred before the individuals could be produced in court for remand.
The report highlighted that judicial inquiries were initiated in all 17 cases. Gujarat followed Maharashtra with 13 custodial deaths — including five suicides and seven due to illnesses — while Rajasthan reported seven fatalities.
The latest figures show an increase for Maharashtra compared to 11 custodial deaths in 2022. In 2021, the state recorded 21 deaths, ranking second after Gujarat in both years. According to data presented in Parliament by Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai, Maharashtra ranked second in custodial deaths between 2018-19 and 2022-23, with Gujarat reporting the highest at 81 deaths during that period.
Experts voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of custodial cells in Maharashtra, pointing to poor surveillance systems and outdated infrastructure. Former Maharashtra Director General of Police Jayant Umranikar stressed that modernisation of lock-ups and continuous monitoring could prevent such tragedies.
“When suspects are arrested and placed in lock-ups, they are searched to ensure they carry nothing that could harm them. Yet, if they still manage to find a way, only constant surveillance can prevent such incidents,” Umranikar said. He advocated for CCTV installations, saying it was legally permissible since police stations are public spaces.
Criminal lawyer Rohan Nahar called for stronger measures, stating that judicial inquiries alone were insufficient. “Each incident should be treated as a separate criminal offence with an independent FIR to ensure a fair and unbiased probe. Mere inquiries serve little purpose as commissions often take too long,” he said.
The most recent custodial death in Maharashtra occurred in December 2023, involving Somnath Suryavanshi in Parbhani. In response, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Earlier this year, in April, the government approved a compensation policy for custodial deaths, offering Rs 5 lakh to families in cases involving accidents, medical negligence, inmate violence or assault by jail staff where negligence is established. In cases of suicide, the compensation is set at Rs 1 lakh.
The report has renewed calls for urgent reforms in custodial facilities across Maharashtra to prevent further loss of lives.