237 state cops charged with custodial torture from 2022 to 2024: NCRB data

Bhubaneswar: Amid widespread public and political outrage over a surge in custodial violence, the latest NCRB data reveals that between 2022 and 2024, a total of 237 police personnel in the state were booked for allegedly subjecting detainees to inhuman treatment.The NCRB report notes that only one custodial death was recorded in 2022, while none were reported in 2023 and 2024. Yet, the number of cases related to custodial crimes remained consistently high — 79 in 2022, 86 in 2023, and 72 in 2024.Concerns were raised this May, when at least four incidents of custodial violence in different police stations were reported.On May 31, a detainee was allegedly beaten to death at Kabisurya Nagar police station in Ganjam district. Days earlier, a suspect was allegedly subjected to custodial brutalities during May 20-23 at Baranga police station, leaving him battling for life at SCB Medical College and Hospital. On May 27, Talchua marine police station IIC Sandhyarani Jena was suspended for allegedly torturing a man and his mother. Earlier on May 9, the IIC of Dabugaon police station in Nabarangpur district, Raghunath Majhi, was suspended over alleged death of an accused inside the police lock-up. Three others — an SI and two constables were suspended in the same case on April 29.“The custodial death at Kabisurya Nagar occurred barely three days after the DGP publicly claimed a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy toward third-degree torture. That contradiction speaks volumes,” said human rights campaigner Sahadeb Maharana, adding that the recurrence of such incidents has left the department embarrassed and struggling with a growing crisis of public trust.DGP Y B Khurania had warned that “third-degree” torture in custody will not be tolerated. “Such conduct towards the general public is never acceptable. Whenever such incidents come to light, we take tough action,” Khurania had said, adding that Odisha police always remain committed to transparency, accountability and justice for the common people.A former police officer said there is immense pressure to deliver quick results. “But brutality is not investigation. Training and oversight must change,” said the officer.Odisha police stated that they take every allegation of custodial violence seriously. “Immediate transfers, suspensions and departmental inquiries have been initiated in recent cases, and strict action will follow based on findings. As per protocol, such cases are referred to our human rights protection cell for investigation. We never endorse third-degree torture,” a senior police officer said.Legal experts said that the violations are not isolated but reflect a deeper disregard for constitutional safeguards. “As per guidelines, suspects cannot be detained beyond 24 hours without judicial approval, and CCTV monitoring is mandatory. Yet most police stations lack cameras, and torture often happens in hidden rooms to extract confessions,” said senior lawyer Debasis Das.