In an alarming trend, the state of Haryana is grappling with an increasing frequency of custodial deaths, averaging one such fatality every three months. Recent data from the Home Department indicates that between January 2015 and 31 July 2023, the state recorded a total of 33 custodial deaths. This has raised pressing questions about police conduct and law enforcement accountability in the state.
Recent Incidents Fuel Concerns
Earlier this week, a young man from Desu Malkana died in police custody, prompting the immediate suspension of four police officers by the Superintendent of Police. This follows a similar case where Harpal Singh, a resident of Nadodi village in Fatehabad district, died after being arrested on drug smuggling charges by the Hisar Narcotics Department. He was declared dead upon arrival at Rohtak PGI, resulting in public uproar.
Troubling Statistics
The district of Faridabad, which is also part of the National Capital Region (NCR), has been singled out as a hot spot for custodial deaths. Data revealed that the district recorded six of the total 33 deaths and also exhibits a high crime rate, including crimes against women. Other districts such as Sirsa, Palwal, Panipat, and Jhajjar have also reported multiple instances of custodial deaths. In addition, it was found that the Haryana State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) has received an upward trend of complaints against the police force over the past few years. Specifically, 741 complaints have been registered, with 319 of those coming in just the first nine months of 2022, compared to the overall 223, 133, and 66 complaints in 2021, 2019, and 2020, respectively.
Calls for Accountability
The consistent stream of complaints against various ranks within the police department, ranging from constables to IPS officers, underscores a critical lack of accountability. While some complaints were deemed false upon investigation, the sheer volume indicates a substantial rift between law enforcement agencies and the communities they are sworn to protect.
Action Needed
These unsettling figures directly contradict the police department’s repeated claims of maintaining law and order and restoring its image within the state. The rising instances of custodial deaths and complaints against lawmen regardless of rank demand immediate action and perhaps a systemic overhaul to rectify the eroding trust between the public and the police.
