Jharkhand High Court Slams Systemic Failures in Custodial Death Inquiries
The Jharkhand High Court voiced grave concerns over the violation of legal provisions concerning inquiries into custodial deaths. Reviewing 427 cases since 2018, it found 262 inquiries were wrongly conducted by executive instead of judicial magistrates, highlighting systemic non-compliance and demanding more accountability and adherence to legal procedures.
- Country:
- India
The Jharkhand High Court has expressed significant concern over the handling of custodial death inquiries within the state, noting systemic violations of mandated legal procedures. The court remarked on the "deeply distressing" non-compliance during the hearing of a public interest litigation.
From 2018 to 2025, 427 custodial deaths were reported, with 262 inquiries conducted by executive magistrates instead of judicial magistrates, which the law prescribes. A division bench, including Justice M S Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar, criticized the state for this mismatch, labeling it as a "total failure" to adhere to Parliament's enactments aimed at ensuring impartial investigations.
The court has demanded reports within six months explaining these failures and identifying responsible officers for potential inquiries. It insists jurisdiction for probes resides exclusively with judicial magistrates and has urged victim compensation committees to consider compensation for proven custodial violence or negligence.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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