On April 19, a man (25) died in police custody in Chennai. His death has once again put the spotlight on custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu. Just two years ago, the deaths of P. Jayaraj and J. Benicks, a father-son duo who were remanded to judicial custody in Thoothukudi, had highlighted the prevalence of police brutality in the State. While U.P. has recorded the highest number of deaths in judicial custody in the last six years among all the States, Tamil Nadu has this ignominious distinction among the southern States. Deaths recorded in judicial custody were far higher than those in police custody. It is significant that the National Human Rights Commission has not recommended prosecution in even one such case during this period. Disciplinary action was recommended in 0.2% of the cases
Judicial custody
The map shows the number of deaths reported while suspects were in judicial custody between 2016-17 and 2021-22 (up to Feb. 28)
