Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
In recent years, several state governments in India have found themselves in deep trouble, with multiple high-profile resignations linked to one troubling issue — rising instances of police brutality against ordinary citizens.
Reports of custodial deaths, unlawful detentions, and systemic abuse have shaken public confidence in the police force and exposed serious gaps in legal accountability.
Tragically, many people have died in police custody, and numerous custodial murders remain shrouded in secrecy.
The fundamental question arises: why are some police officers engaging in what appears to be “legal rowdyism” — abusing their authority, inflicting violence, and falsely implicating innocent citizens — often without consequence?.
What’s even more alarming is the number of people languishing behind bars for months or even years without trial, often arrested without clear charges.
The absence of accountability within the police system is largely attributed to political protection — a trend observed across party lines.
Police officers who violate the law are rarely held responsible, shielded instead by their political “godfathers.”
A recent case in Mysuru (Mysore) highlights the urgency of the issue. Three officers were suspended after allegedly framing an innocent man and keeping him in jail for nearly two years.
Unfortunately, such incidents are not isolated. In many police stations across India, detainees are kept in custody illegally, sometimes tortured, and then produced in court after days of unlawful detention.
In one instance in Bengaluru, a man was kept in custody for three days without legal procedure. Another person was allegedly allowed home-cooked food and even alcohol, before being formally presented to the court.
When inquiries were later made about CCTV footage, the authorities conveniently claimed the cameras weren’t working — a common excuse across the country.
This raises a serious concern: where can a citizen go when they are harassed or abused by the police?.
Filing a complaint in another station often leads nowhere. The response is frequently dismissive or intimidating, with officers warning, “Don’t go against the police — it will ruin your life.”
Even Police Complaint Authorities take years to process grievances, rendering justice a distant dream for many victims.
To address this systemic issue, the government must urgently reform police laws. Every interrogation room in every station must be equipped with 24/7 CCTV surveillance, with no option to switch it off. Senior officers such as the ACP, DCP, and Station In-Charge should be held directly accountable for any violations under their watch.
More importantly, if a police officer is found to have falsely framed someone or filed a fabricated FIR, that officer should face immediate termination and criminal prosecution. Innocent people must not be left to suffer while the system protects its own. The current framework enables abuse rather than preventing it.
Many Chief Ministers, such as Siddaramaiah and former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, are known for being strict with officers and never tolerating police brutality against common people.
On the other hand, leaders who prioritize protecting officers over the public gradually lose the trust and support of the people.”
India needs to confront the uncomfortable truth:
Custodial violence and illegal detentions are not isolated missteps — they are systemic issues that require bold legal reforms.
The lives and rights of countless innocent citizens depend on a police system that serves the law, not one that bends it.
Let us not allow our protectors to become legally empowered oppressors. It’s time for change. It’s time to hold the police accountable.
