Constitutional & Criminal Law / rights guide

Police Misconduct, Custodial Torture & Encounters

Remedies against custodial violence, third-degree torture, illegal encounters, and securing victim compensation under public law.

Statutory provisions and authorities

  • BNSS § 196 (Judicial Magistrate Inquiry in Custodial Death)
  • BNSS § 53 (Medical Examination of Detainee)
  • Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
  • Nilabati Behera v. State of Orissa (1993)
  • PUCL v. State of Maharashtra (2014 Encounter Guidelines)

Citizen safeguards

  • Absolute right to life and bodily integrity in police custody (Art. 21)
  • Right to mandatory independent videographed judicial magistrate inquiry within 24 hours of custodial death
  • Right to state-funded compensation for custodial torture irrespective of criminal conviction
  • Right to departmental prosecution through State Police Complaints Authority (PCA)

Procedural guide

Zero Tolerance for Custodial Torture

Custodial violence is an assault on the rule of law. When state officials entrusted with enforcing the law violate it behind closed doors, the legal system provides rapid intervention mechanisms.

1. Mandatory Safeguards under Section 196 BNSS

2. Compensation and Disciplinary Actions

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