170 custodial deaths in just 74 days: Concern increased in the country, government reveals

The Home Ministry told Parliament on March 24, 2026 that **170 cases of custodial deaths** were reported across the country between January 1 and March 15, 2026. The data, prepared on the basis of information received from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), includes both police and judicial detentions.

Bihar has recorded the highest number of **19 cases**, followed by Rajasthan (**18**) and Uttar Pradesh (**15**). **14 deaths** were recorded everywhere in Punjab, Gujarat and Maharashtra. In eastern India, **9 cases** were reported in Odisha, while **7 cases each** were reported in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. **5 cases each** reported in Telangana and Assam. **3 cases each** reported in the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala. **4 custodial deaths** were recorded in Delhi, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry recorded one death each. Jammu and Kashmir, and several smaller states and union territories like Mizoram, Sikkim and Ladakh recorded no custodial deaths during this period.

These figures show an increase compared to the previous financial year (2024–25), in which **140 cases** were recorded. In the previous years, 157 cases were reported in 2023–24, 163 in 2022–23 and 176 in 2021–22.

Custodial deaths remain a serious concern in India, often leading to calls for stricter accountability, mandatory judicial inquiry and better medical facilities in prisons and police stations. NHRC’s rule is that every custodial death should be reported within 24 hours, followed by postmortem and magisterial inquiry. However, the conviction rate of policemen in such cases still remains low.

The government’s revelations highlight regional differences and highlight the need for police reforms, better prison conditions and greater transparency to prevent avoidable custodial deaths. Human rights organizations have repeatedly stressed that it is important to ensure independent investigations and speedy justice in all cases reported.