20 custodial deaths in two years in Rajasthan; rights groups express concern

Rajasthan has recorded 20 deaths in police custody during the last two years, with most of them linked to health issues, while one person died after falling into a well during an escape attempt. The figures between August 2023 and August 2025 were revealed in a report tabled during the State Assembly’s monsoon session, which ended on September 10.

Civil rights groups in the State have expressed concern over the custodial deaths and demanded judicial inquiry into each of them and transparent investigation into the cases classified as suicides or medical causes, in order to ensure accountability.

The information was provided in the Assembly in response to a query by Congress MLA and chief whip Rafiq Khan. The report said that 12 of the deaths could be attributed to health conditions, while six of the inmates died by suicide. No police man was found guilty in any of the custodial deaths.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) said here on Friday (September 12, 2025) that the deaths in police custody were a grave violation of human rights, with disregard to constitutional and legal safeguards. “Every custodial death reflects administrative negligence and the claims of suicide in custody are often suspect, appearing to mask torture, neglect, or inhuman treatment,” PUCL-Rajasthan president Bhanwar Meghwanshi said.

Mr. Meghwanshi said the availability of means for suicide in custody pointed to serious lapses in supervision, while deaths ascribed to health causes indicated failure to provide timely medical care and humane treatment.

“The increase in custodial deaths in Rajasthan is not only an assault on human dignity but also a blatant breach of the Constitution, Supreme Court’s rulings, and NHRC directives. Unless urgent reforms are undertaken, such incidents will continue to recur, eroding public trust in the rule of law,” Mr. Meghwanshi said.

The PUCL said that in addition to judicial inquiry into all deaths, strict legal and departmental action should be initiated against the guilty police officers, and adequate compensation and rehabilitation provided to the families of victims.

The PUCL also demanded mandatory CCTV coverage in all custody centres, with secure data preservation. The Supreme Court had recently taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on custodial deaths and said it would examine compliance with its earlier directive mandating installation of CCTV cameras in police stations.