The report was prepared after visiting police stations, analysing custodial deaths that took place in the last 10 years and profiles of the accused who expired while in custody.
A three-member committee headed by special inspector general Krishna Prakash has submitted a report to the Bombay High Court, which, if accepted and implemented at police
stations, could help reduce the number of custodial deaths in Maharashtra.
The report was prepared after visiting police stations, analysing custodial deaths that took place in the last 10 years and profiles of the accused who expired while in custody. In as many as 43 recommendations, the report put across several responsibilities on policemen manning the lock-ups and emphasised on the use of technology.
As per statistics from the year 1999 to 2015, a total of 257 custodial deaths took place in Maharashtra while the conviction rate against the erring policemen remained negligible. Among the many recommendations, the report stated that the policemen should thoroughly check inmates to ensure that they were not carrying any sharp things while in the lock-up. Any loose wires and nails or hooks inside the lock-ups should also be cleared, so that inmates don't harm themselves, the report added.
The most important among the recommendations was that as soon as a suspect is arrested, he should be checked for any medical illness. If found, proper medical treatment should be provided immediately. If an inmate complains of illness during his stay inside the lock-up, he should be immediately moved to hospital. A first-aid kit should be always be kept inside the police station to deal with emergency situations. Similarly, a fire extinguisher should also be put up in the lock-up.
If inmates were being provided home food as per court orders, then the food should be checked, and policemen should ensure that addicts were not able to smuggle drugs inside. Finally, to ensure that custodial deaths were avoided CCTV, cameras must be installed inside the lock-ups, which would be continuously monitored by the senior police inspector or duty officer. Policemen with a lot of patience and who were good in investigations should be deployed in the detection branch, recommended the report.
In October last year, the High court had directed the director general of police to constitute a committee of three senior police officers to accept suggestions and come up with a long-term solution to minimise or stop custodial deaths.
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