The Rule of Law and Custodial Deaths

One of the worst crimes in civilized society governed by the Rule of Law is custodial deaths. This Rule of Law is particularly prevelent in India whereby the entire foundation is based on the ediface of law. The number of custodial deaths worldwide shows an increase when the law enforcing agencies use harsh methods to control militancy and the problem with custodial deaths is that there is very little evidence left behind to prove crimininaly in a court of law.

The right to life and liberty is one of the most important fundamental rights enshrined in basic human rights. However, instances of excessive force by Police far exceeding their lawful authority is attributed to the rise in custodial deaths. Torture of any kind whilst in Police custody is a crime and a henious one at that.

Sadly, when Police who are supposed to protect the life and liberty of a citizen behave inhumanely with scant regard for the rule of law, this encourages further lawlesness and breeds contempt for the law within society. With little evidence left behind it is extremely hard for a family to bring the police to court and attain justice. Only a very few cases of families whose relation was killed whilst in custody actually bring the case to the courts. There shoudl be zero tolerence for any form of custodial deaths.

Faced with the resistance of the Police, lack of evidence, and the current court systems I believe that any family who does take the route of a courtcase has an extreme mountain to climb. Having said this, any form of custodial death, particularly by beatings, should be taken very seriously in any judicial system. Custodial deaths are like a cancer in the blood of society and servants of citizens, the Police, should be helf responsible for any such injustice.

Let the law send a clear message to law enforcing agencies that zero tolerence is the new rule of thumb. So many times we have seen clear and horiffic pictures on the news where a person is abused by our current legal system whether it be racial, drugs related or just a personal vendetta. Our society needs to ensure that every single citizen is protected by our laws, send out clear pictures to law enforcing agencies that any form of death whilst in custody will be fully investigated by an independent body not related to the Government nor the Police and finally, remove the nemesis of the atrocious act of custodial deaths from our "civilized" society.