Surge in custodial deaths in Punjab
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ March 25,2026
There is a surge in custodial deaths in Punjab in the first 74 days of this year as per the figures shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The MHA data are part of state-wise information received from the National Human Rights Commission. The information was shared in the Parliament on Tuesday
In the first 74 days (From January 1,2026 to March 15,2026) out of 170 total number of custodial deaths in India, Punjab records 14 deaths means 8.23 percent of India’s total deaths.
The neighboring states/ UTs namely Haryana records 10, Himachal 1, Jammu & Kashmir 0, Ladakh 0, Delhi 4, Rajasthan 18 in this period.
As per the NHRC data, Punjab records 9 custodial deaths in the year 2021-22, 10 in 2022-23, 6 each in 2023-24 and 2024-25
As per the NHRC data, Haryana records 4 custodial deaths in the year 2021-22, 3 in 2022-23, 7 in 2023-24 and 4 in the year 2024-25
The state-wise pan India data detailing custodial deaths from 2021 to 2026 shows a notable increase compared to the previous year.
In 2024-25, the total number of cases registered in respect of custodial deaths stood at 140 in the 37 States and UTs, while earlier years recorded 157 cases in 2023-24, 163 in 2022-23, and 176 in 2021-22.
Among states, Bihar reported the highest number of custodial deaths this year so far, with 19 cases, followed by Rajasthan with 18 and Uttar Pradesh with 15. Punjab, Gujarat and Maharashtra recorded 14 cases each.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issue advisories from time to time to ensure protection of human rights. Further, pursuant to the guidelines issued by the NHRC, every death in custody, police or judicial, natural or otherwise, is to be reported to the Commission within 24 hours of its occurrence. The Commission also issued guidelines for video filming of post-mortem and circulated model autopsy form to rule out any negligence/foul play or torture in custodial deaths.
If an enquiry by the Commission into police/judicial custodial deaths discloses negligence by a public servant, the Commission recommends to authorities of Central/State governments for initiation of proceedings for prosecution against erring public servant. The disciplinary action against the erring public servant is to be taken by the respective State Government as per extant rules, procedures, etc.
