A recent study on policing in India has revealed an alarming rise in Islamophobia among law enforcement personnel, along with a concerning acceptance of extrajudicial measures. The report, based on a survey of 8,276 police personnel across 17 states and a Union Territory, as well as interviews with judges, lawyers, and doctors, underscores systemic biases and violations in the criminal justice system.
Disturbing Findings on Police Violence and Custodial Deaths
The study indicates that 22% of police personnel accept the use of violence against suspects, while 28% believe the criminal justice system is too weak and slow, preferring extrajudicial actions. This highlights a dangerous trend where law enforcement officials endorse bypassing due process.
The report also exposes inconsistencies in custodial death records. While the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 76 deaths, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recorded 90, and the National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT) listed 111 cases. Shockingly, while NCAT found that 46% of custodial deaths in 2020 were due to torture, NCRB attributed only one case to physical assault. These discrepancies suggest an alarming lack of transparency in reporting custodial violence.
Islamophobia in the Police Force
One of the most concerning aspects of the report is the deep-seated Islamophobia within the police force. It reveals that a significant number of police personnel view Muslims as inherently criminal, a bias not found among Sikh officers. In Delhi, many officers perceive Muslims as more prone to criminal activities.
Additionally, the report highlights how harsh anti-cow slaughter laws in states like Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are often enforced with a bias against Muslims. It also notes that police in these regions have shown support for mob violence in such cases. The study emphasizes that these prejudices contribute to the disproportionate targeting and torture of Muslims in police custody.
Justice System Fails Marginalized Communities
Despite these biases, some police personnel believe that Muslims can receive justice to a great extent. However, the report questions whether such beliefs align with reality, given the entrenched discrimination within law enforcement. Officers interviewed stressed the need for improved human rights training, interrogation techniques based on evidence, and measures to curb custodial torture.
The study also uncovers widespread manipulation in custodial death investigations. Lawyers, judges, and doctors interviewed pointed to falsified post-mortem reports, police collusion with defense lawyers, and lack of protection for doctors who report torture cases.
Call for Reforms
The report strongly urges reforms within law enforcement to ensure justice and accountability. It recommends:
Strengthening the role of judicial magistrates in overseeing arrests.
Conducting thorough medical examinations of detainees.
Establishing systematic and accurate data collection on custodial deaths.
The findings expose severe shortcomings in India’s policing system, raising urgent concerns about human rights violations and the deepening divide in law enforcement attitudes towards religious minorities.
