Opposition Leader Demands Judicial Probe Into Rising Custodial Deaths in Rajasthan

Opposition Leader Sounds Alarm on Rajasthan's Custodial Death Crisis

Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has raised serious concerns regarding the escalating number of deaths occurring in police custody across Rajasthan, labeling the situation a significant failure of the state government. In a strongly worded letter addressed to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday, Jully highlighted what he termed an "alarming" deterioration in law and order within the state.

Disturbing Data and National Ranking

Citing comprehensive data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Jully revealed that a total of 170 prisoners died in police custody nationwide up to March 15 in the financial year 2025-26. Within this distressing national statistic, Rajasthan holds the dubious distinction of ranking second among all Indian states. The situation has worsened dramatically within the state itself, with custodial deaths surging from nine cases last year to 18 in the current year—effectively doubling within a remarkably short timeframe.

Call for Judicial Inquiry and Strict Accountability

Jully has formally demanded the establishment of a high-level judicial inquiry to thoroughly investigate all recent custodial death incidents. He insisted that murder cases must be registered against any police officials found guilty of involvement or negligence. Furthermore, he called for swift and stringent punitive action to be taken, moving beyond mere suspensions which he criticized as insufficient measures that allow such serious matters to fade without proper accountability.

—

Referring explicitly to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, Jully emphasized that the state bears complete and unequivocal responsibility for the safety and security of individuals in police custody. He described the increasing number of deaths resulting from torture and inhumane treatment as representing a deeply worrying trend that undermines democratic principles.

"Custodial violence constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights," Jully stated. "The rule of law must be upheld through impartial and transparent investigation processes, not through intimidation or extra-judicial methods."

Systemic Failures and Infrastructure Concerns

The opposition leader also raised critical questions about surveillance infrastructure within police stations across Rajasthan. Despite clear and binding directives from the Supreme Court of India, Jully pointed out that CCTV cameras remain non-functional in several police stations, casting serious doubts on the administration's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Jully delivered a stern warning about the consequences of continued custodial abuses: "No individual has the right to take the law into their own hands under the cover of a uniform. When protectors transform into predators, public faith in the entire justice system inevitably erodes, creating a dangerous precedent for democratic governance."

Comprehensive Demands for Reform

Beyond immediate investigations, Jully presented a multi-point agenda for systemic reform:

1. Implementation of stringent human rights protection protocols across all police stations
2. Guarantee of adequate financial compensation and comprehensive assistance to families of custodial death victims
3. Ensuring functional surveillance systems as mandated by judicial authorities
4. Establishing transparent mechanisms for reporting and addressing custodial violence

The opposition leader's intervention comes amid growing national attention on police accountability and custodial rights, placing significant pressure on the Rajasthan government to address what appears to be a systemic crisis in law enforcement practices.