How the police view custodial torture in India: Data

The data reveals an acceptance of coercive tactics ranging from verbal abuse and threats to slapping and third-degree methods even for minor offences.

In recent years, concerns over police brutality and custodial torture have intensified, fuelling debates about justice, accountability, and human rights. The findings from a recent study on the ‘Status of Policing in India Report’ conducted by Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in collaboration with Common Cause shed light on this grim reality.

The study, which analysed responses from 8,276 police personnel across 82 locations in 17 States including Delhi, provides troubling insights into the culture of abuse behind closed doors.

When asked if it is acceptable for the police to use violence against suspects of serious offences for the greater good of society, nearly two out of three police personnel (63%) agreed.

Of them, 22% strongly agreed and 41% moderately agreed. Just 35% of the officers opposed the idea (Table 1). Support for violence against suspected serious offenders remained consistent across ranks.

Table 1 | Police violence: A justified tool for the greater good

When asked about torture, a significant number of police personnel expressed strong support for its use in interrogations across various crime categories. The highest support was for cases related to national security, such as terrorism, with 42% strongly backing torture. Over a third (34%) also strongly supported its use in cases of rape, sexual assault, and serious violent crimes such as murder (Table 2). Additionally, 28% strongly agreed that torture must be used against history sheeters.

Table 2 | Justifying violence: The alarming police support for torture