6,004 custodial deaths in three years
By IANSWednesday, August 18, 2010
NEW DELHI - There have been 6,004 custodial deaths in India in the past three years, parliament was informed Wednesday.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the Rajya Sabha that 1,794 deaths took place in 2009-10, 1,943 in 2008-09 and 2,267 in 2007-08.
He said this in a written reply to a question by Kaptan Singh Solanki of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The central government does not directly intervene in the custodial deaths cases as it is a state subject, the minister said.
The centre issues advisories while the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) puts out guidelines and recommendations, he added.
The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010, introduced in the Lok Sbha April 26, was expected to “act as a deterrent for public servants from indulging in custodial violence and abuse of power by police authorities”, the minister said.
