Custodial Violence in India: An Examination in Light of the New Criminal Law Reforms (2023–2024)

Written by: Dr. Nagendra Singh Raghav, Associate Professor, Lord Mahavira College of Law

Abstract

Custodial violence, from psychological torture to custodial death, remains a systemic and egregious abuse of human rights in India. Despite a strong constitutional framework and the legacy of historic judgments, custodial torture persists because of ingrained police culture, lack of accountability, and public indifference. The recent criminal law reforms in India, i.e., Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, have the objective to update India's colonial-era criminal justice system. This study broadens the previous brief by interweaving these legislative reforms and critically examining legal, judicial, institutional, and societal viewpoints.

Keywords: Custodial Violence, Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations, Criminal Justice Reform, Torture Prevention in India.

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Volume 1 | Issue 1