Gujarat has reported 95 deaths in police custody over the past six years, placing it among the states with the highest such figures in the country, according to data compiled by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The numbers have renewed focus on policing practices and demands for stronger accountability mechanisms.
At a press briefing in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) media convener Manish Doshi cited NHRC data and details submitted by the Union government in Parliament to flag serious concerns. Referring to a recent custodial death in Surendranagar, Doshi said, &ldquo;The recent incident of custodial death in Surendranagar demands investigation. The state ranks high in custodial deaths, with 95 such deaths reported in six years. There is a lack of transparency in the investigation of cases of custodial deaths.&rdquo;
NHRC records show Gujarat reported 14 custodial deaths in 2017&ndash;18, 13 in 2018&ndash;19, 12 in 2019&ndash;20, a sharp rise to 24 in 2021&ndash;22, and 15 in 2022&ndash;23. The figures reveal a near doubling of deaths in 2021&ndash;22 compared to 2019&ndash;20. Across India, more than 700 custodial deaths were recorded between 2017 and 2023.
Despite Supreme Court directions in 2018 and 2020 mandating CCTV installation and recording facilities in police stations and offices of investigative agencies, compliance in Gujarat remains uneven. Reports suggest several police stations lack cameras, while others have non-functional or switched-off systems, raising concerns over monitoring of interrogations, detection of custodial abuse and timely medical intervention.
Rights groups have also pointed to the disproportionate impact of custodial violence on people from poor, backward, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and nomadic communities. They argue that weak oversight and gaps in enforcement have allowed violations to continue.
Calling for stronger safeguards, Doshi said constitutional protections of life and justice require urgent action. He demanded independent judicial inquiries into every custodial death, fast-track courts in cases involving vulnerable communities and strict action against those found responsible, while questioning why police reforms have remained stalled for nearly two decades.
Comparative data shows Maharashtra recorded 99 custodial deaths during the same period, followed by Gujarat with 95, Bihar 54, Uttar Pradesh 51, Tamil Nadu 47 and Karnataka 35.

Gujarat: Custodial Deaths Hit 95 in Six Years

Congress questions policing standards as custody death figures continue to climb

Gujarat: Custodial Deaths Hit 95 in Six Years

Congress questions policing standards as custody death figures continue to climb

December 6, 2025 | 18:54 IST