{"id":27628,"date":"2026-07-10T12:26:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=27628"},"modified":"2026-07-10T12:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:31:33","slug":"custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Custodial Torture in India: Judicial Recognition, Legislative Silence, and the Unaddressed Problem of Psychological Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Custodial torture remains one of the most heinous acts against humanity in any democracy. Despite having <strong>Article 21<\/strong> in our Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and to live with dignity, the continuing deaths in custody raise serious questions about the existing legal framework. Despite repeated condemnation of custodial torture by the judiciary, India still lacks a proper standalone anti-torture law. Though we have safeguards like the <strong>D.K. Basu guidelines<\/strong>, the present framework still lacks the ability to properly address this issue.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Gaps_in_the_Existing_Legal_Framework\" >Gaps in the Existing Legal Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Recognition_of_Mental_Torture_by_the_Law_Commission\" >Recognition of Mental Torture by the Law Commission<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Key_Issues_Highlighted\" >Key Issues Highlighted<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Quick_Overview\" >Quick Overview<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Judicial_Recognition_of_Custodial_Torture_Under_Article_21\" >Judicial Recognition of Custodial Torture Under Article 21<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Supreme_Court_Recognition_of_Custodial_Torture\" >Supreme Court Recognition of Custodial Torture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Recognition_of_Psychological_Torture_Under_Article_21\" >Recognition of Psychological Torture Under Article 21<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#The_Broken_Nature_of_Indian_Criminal_Law\" >The Broken Nature of Indian Criminal Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Key_Gaps_in_Indian_Criminal_Law\" >Key Gaps in Indian Criminal Law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Comparison_Judicial_Recognition_vs_Criminal_Law_Framework\" >Comparison: Judicial Recognition vs Criminal Law Framework<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Psychological_Torture_and_Invisible_Forms_of_Custodial_Abuse\" >Psychological Torture and Invisible Forms of Custodial Abuse<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Supreme_Court_Recognition_of_Psychological_Torture\" >Supreme Court Recognition of Psychological Torture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#International_Judicial_Approach_to_Psychological_Torture\" >International Judicial Approach to Psychological Torture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Global_Shift_in_Recognition_of_Psychological_Coercion\" >Global Shift in Recognition of Psychological Coercion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Evidentiary_Difficulties_and_the_Need_to_Shift_Burden_of_Proof\" >Evidentiary Difficulties and the Need to Shift Burden of Proof<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Supreme_Court_on_Evidentiary_Challenges\" >Supreme Court on Evidentiary Challenges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Law_Commission_Recommendation_on_Shifting_Burden_of_Proof\" >Law Commission Recommendation on Shifting Burden of Proof<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#International_Approach_to_Burden_of_Proof\" >International Approach to Burden of Proof<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#The_Failure_of_the_Prevention_of_Torture_Bill_2017\" >The Failure of the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Key_Observations_from_the_Prevention_of_Torture_Bill_2017\" >Key Observations from the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Indias_Comparison_with_the_Global_Trends\" >India\u2019s Comparison with the Global Trends<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#International_Legal_Framework\" >International Legal Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Current_Position_of_India\" >Current Position of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Comparison_Between_India_and_Global_Approaches\" >Comparison Between India and Global Approaches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Major_Concerns_in_the_Present_Framework\" >Major Concerns in the Present Framework<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Table_of_Cases\" >Table of Cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Bibliography\" >Bibliography<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Statutes_and_Legislation\" >Statutes and Legislation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#International_Instruments\" >International Instruments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Reports\" >Reports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Journal_Articles\" >Journal Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Newspaper_Articles\" >Newspaper Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-torture-india-psychological-torture-article-21-anti-torture-law\/#Online_Sources\" >Online Sources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-gaps-in-the-existing-legal-framework\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gaps_in_the_Existing_Legal_Framework\"><\/span>Gaps in the Existing Legal Framework<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This gap becomes even more relevant in light of modern interrogation methods, where coercion is not limited to physical violence. It can take the form of sleep deprivation, humiliation, and threats, which inflict mental suffering without leaving any physical evidence. Indian law is more inclined towards recognizing physical injury than psychological abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-recognition-of-mental-torture-by-the-law-commission\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognition_of_Mental_Torture_by_the_Law_Commission\"><\/span>Recognition of Mental Torture by the Law Commission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Law Commission of India, in its <strong>273rd Report<\/strong>, recognized that torture is not merely &#8220;physical.&#8221; It can also occur in the form of <strong>mental torture<\/strong> through acts such as sleep deprivation and prolonged interrogation hours. Despite these observations and the proposed <strong>Anti-Torture Bill, 2017<\/strong>, India continues to rely on existing criminal law provisions and judicial precedents instead of enacting dedicated anti-torture legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-key-issues-highlighted\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Issues_Highlighted\"><\/span>Key Issues Highlighted<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Article 21 guarantees the right to life, liberty, and dignity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Custodial deaths continue to raise serious concerns about accountability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India still does not have a standalone anti-torture law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The D.K. Basu guidelines provide safeguards but are not a complete solution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modern interrogation techniques increasingly involve psychological coercion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental torture often leaves no visible physical evidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Law Commission&#8217;s 273rd Report acknowledged both physical and mental torture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proposed Anti-Torture Bill, 2017, has not yet been enacted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-quick-overview\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Overview\"><\/span>Quick Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Aspect<\/th><th>Present Position<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Constitutional Protection<\/td><td>Article 21 guarantees the right to life, liberty, and dignity.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Judicial Safeguards<\/td><td>D.K. Basu guidelines regulate arrest and detention procedures.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standalone Anti-Torture Law<\/td><td>Not enacted in India.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Recognition of Mental Torture<\/td><td>Recognized by the Law Commission in its 273rd Report.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Legislative Status<\/td><td>The proposed anti-torture bill, 2017, has not become law.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-judicial-recognition-of-custodial-torture-under-article-21\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Judicial_Recognition_of_Custodial_Torture_Under_Article_21\"><\/span>Judicial Recognition of Custodial Torture Under Article 21<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court has identified custodial torture as a direct violation of constitutional dignity. In D.K. Bashu v. State of West Bengal, the court mentioned that custodial torture is directly a violation of human dignity. The judgment is also remarkable, as it laid down safeguards governing arrest and detention. Similarly, in Raghubir Singh v. State of Haryana, the Supreme Court warned the state about police torture, and the state cannot violate the rights easily when it has an obligation to protect them. In Sube Singh v. State of Haryana, the court acknowledged that police authorities, in order to extract confessions, often rely on &#8220;third-degree methods.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-supreme-court-recognition-of-custodial-torture\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Recognition_of_Custodial_Torture\"><\/span>Supreme Court Recognition of Custodial Torture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Case<\/th><th>Judicial Recognition<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>D.K. Bashu v State of West Bengal<\/td><td>The court mentioned that custodial torture is directly a violation of human dignity and laid down safeguards governing arrest and detention.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Raghubir Singh v State of Haryana<\/td><td>The Supreme Court warned the state about police torture, and the state cannot violate the rights easily when it has an obligation to protect them.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sube Singh v State of Haryana<\/td><td>The court acknowledged that police authorities, in order to extract confessions, often rely on &#8220;third-degree methods.&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indian courts have increasingly recognized psychological suffering as a form of torture. In Mehmood Nayyar Azam v. State of Chhattisgarh, the Supreme Court held that torture is not limited only to physical torture but also includes &#8220;mental and psychological harassment.&#8221; A similar stance was taken in the case of State of Arvinder Singh Bagga v. State of Uttar Pradesh. The identification of mental suffering under Article 21 was expanded in Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India, where the Supreme Court stated that prolonged delay in execution will amount to mental torture. This demonstrates that Indian constitutional jurisprudence has evolved from a narrow interpretation of torture, which only included physical violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-recognition-of-psychological-torture-under-article-21\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognition_of_Psychological_Torture_Under_Article_21\"><\/span>Recognition of Psychological Torture Under Article 21<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mehmood Nayyar Azam v. State of Chhattisgarh:<\/strong> The Supreme Court held that torture is not limited only to physical torture but also includes &#8220;mental and psychological harassment.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State of Arvinder Singh Bagga v. State of Uttar Pradesh:<\/strong> A similar stance was taken regarding psychological suffering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India:<\/strong> The Supreme Court stated that prolonged delay in execution will amount to mental torture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-broken-nature-of-indian-criminal-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Broken_Nature_of_Indian_Criminal_Law\"><\/span>The Broken Nature of Indian Criminal Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite of judicial recognition, Indian Criminal Law continues to deal Custodial Violence through sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita which deals with hurt, Grievous hurt, assault, etc. These sections may punish physical torture, but they lack the conceptualization of torture as a distinct abuse of state power without custodial settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most crucial thing is that Indian law does not specifically criminalize psychological torture in custody. While certain provisions indirectly recognize mental harm, there is no proper framework to address that problem. It is crucial because modern custodial violence often extends beyond visible physical infliction of injury. Psychological coercion barely leaves physical evidence, making prosecution under traditional law difficult. Simultaneously, criminal accountability continues to remain heavily dependent on proof of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-key-gaps-in-indian-criminal-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Gaps_in_Indian_Criminal_Law\"><\/span>Key Gaps in Indian Criminal Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian Criminal Law continues to deal Custodial Violence through sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita which deals with hurt, Grievous hurt, assault, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These sections may punish physical torture, but they lack to conceptualize torture as a distinct abuse of state power without custodial settings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian law does not specifically criminalize psychological torture in custody.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is no proper framework to address mental harm despite certain provisions indirectly recognizing it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modern custodial violence often extends beyond visible physical infliction of injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Psychological coercion barely leaves physical evidence, making prosecution under traditional law difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Criminal accountability continues to remain heavily dependent on proof of injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-comparison-judicial-recognition-vs-criminal-law-framework\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_Judicial_Recognition_vs_Criminal_Law_Framework\"><\/span>Comparison: Judicial Recognition vs Criminal Law Framework<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Aspect<\/th><th>Judicial Position<\/th><th>Criminal Law Position<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Custodial Torture<\/td><td>Recognized as a violation of constitutional dignity.<\/td><td>Addressed through provisions relating to hurt, Grievous hurt, assault, etc.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Psychological Torture<\/td><td>Recognized under Article 21 through judicial decisions.<\/td><td>No specific offense criminalizing psychological torture in custody.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mental Harm<\/td><td>Accepted as a form of torture.<\/td><td>No proper statutory framework to address mental harm.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Evidence<\/td><td>Psychological suffering is acknowledged.<\/td><td>Criminal accountability remains heavily dependent on proof of injury.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-psychological-torture-and-invisible-forms-of-custodial-abuse\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychological_Torture_and_Invisible_Forms_of_Custodial_Abuse\"><\/span>Psychological Torture and Invisible Forms of Custodial Abuse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A key shortcoming of the present framework is its inability to effectively address non-physical forms of torture. Investigating agency use methods like prolonged interrogation, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and sleep deprivation frequently operates as a tool of coercive interrogation without leaving visible marks upon the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-supreme-court-recognition-of-psychological-torture\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Recognition_of_Psychological_Torture\"><\/span>Supreme Court Recognition of Psychological Torture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court in the Ramlila Maidan Incident case recognized that sleep deprivation amounts to both mental and physical torture. International courts have also upheld this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-international-judicial-approach-to-psychological-torture\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_Judicial_Approach_to_Psychological_Torture\"><\/span>International Judicial Approach to Psychological Torture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Case<\/th><th>Key Observation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Ireland v United Kingdom<\/td><td>The European Court of Human Rights in this case examined various methods of interrogation like wall standing, hooding, sleep deprivation, and food deprivation. The court held that these practices are inhuman.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Soering v United Kingdom<\/td><td>Psychological suffering paired with prolonged death row detention was labeled as torture.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cantoral\u2013Benavides v Peru<\/td><td>The Inter-American Court expanded its view to include psychological and moral suffering.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Keenan v United Kingdom<\/td><td>Practices affecting mental integrity and human dignity may violate the prohibition against torture.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kudla v Poland<\/td><td>Practices affecting mental integrity and human dignity may violate the prohibition against torture.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-global-shift-in-recognition-of-psychological-coercion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Global_Shift_in_Recognition_of_Psychological_Coercion\"><\/span>Global Shift in Recognition of Psychological Coercion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These developments and identification by international courts demonstrate that there is a global shift in reviewing torture and identifying psychological coercion as a distinct form of custodial abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognition of psychological torture has expanded beyond physical violence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental suffering is increasingly treated as an independent form of custodial abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International courts acknowledge that practices affecting mental integrity and human dignity may amount to torture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-evidentiary-difficulties-and-the-need-to-shift-burden-of-proof\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evidentiary_Difficulties_and_the_Need_to_Shift_Burden_of_Proof\"><\/span>Evidentiary Difficulties and the Need to Shift Burden of Proof<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the key challenges lies in securing evidence of custodial violence. As evidence remains largely under police, there are very high chances of manipulation of evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-supreme-court-on-evidentiary-challenges\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_on_Evidentiary_Challenges\"><\/span>Supreme Court on Evidentiary Challenges<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court in Madhya Pradesh v. Shyam Sunder Trivedi identified this issue and mentioned that it is very difficult to secure evidence in such cases. The same problem was identified in State of Uttar Pradesh v. Ram Sagar Yadav and stated that police officers often become the only available witnesses to custodial abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Case<\/th><th>Principle Recognized<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Madhya Pradesh v Shyam Sunder Trivedi<\/td><td>It is very difficult to secure evidence in custodial violence cases.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>State of Uttar Pradesh v Ram Sagar Yadav<\/td><td>Police officers often become only available witnesses to custodial abuse.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-law-commission-recommendation-on-shifting-burden-of-proof\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Law_Commission_Recommendation_on_Shifting_Burden_of_Proof\"><\/span>Law Commission Recommendation on Shifting Burden of Proof<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By looking at this issue, the 273rd Law Commission report gave a recommendation of shifting the onus of evidentiary burden in custodial torture cases. The report also mentioned that when injuries are inflicted in police custody, courts may presume the onus on government officials unless situations describe other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-international-approach-to-burden-of-proof\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_Approach_to_Burden_of_Proof\"><\/span>International Approach to Burden of Proof<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International jurisprudence has adopted a similar approach, which is evident from the case of Yavuz v. Turkey; the European Court held that when a detainee enters into custody in good health and sustains injury, then the onus shifts to the state to describe injuries inflicted on the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Authority<\/th><th>Recommendation \/ Principle<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>273rd Law Commission Report<\/td><td>Recommended shifting onus of evidentiary burden in custodial torture cases and presuming responsibility where injuries occur in police custody unless explained otherwise.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Yavuz v. Turkey<\/td><td>When a detainee enters custody in good health and later sustains injuries, the burden shifts to the state to explain the injuries.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Custodial violence cases often suffer from lack of independent evidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence generally remains under police control, increasing the possibility of manipulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Supreme Court has acknowledged the practical difficulty of proving custodial abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 273rd Law Commission Report recommends shifting the evidentiary burden in appropriate custodial torture cases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International jurisprudence supports placing the burden on the state where injuries occur during police custody.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-failure-of-the-prevention-of-torture-bill-2017\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Failure_of_the_Prevention_of_Torture_Bill_2017\"><\/span>The Failure of the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The loopholes of the present framework were recognized in the 273rd Report, which was published under the chairmanship of Justice B.S. Chauhan. Eventually, they recommended a standalone anti-torture law and proposed the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017, which covered all the loopholes, including the mental torture aspect as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these recommendations, the bill failed to pass, and the reason given was that the present legal framework is sufficient to deal with it, which we can see clearly fails to address psychological torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The failure of this bill shows enormous institutional neglect towards imposing a stronger accountability mechanism to punish the accused so that no such kinds of acts that violate Article 21 of the Constitution happen again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-key-observations-from-the-prevention-of-torture-bill-2017\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Observations_from_the_Prevention_of_Torture_Bill_2017\"><\/span>Key Observations from the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Aspect<\/th><th>Position<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Law Commission Report<\/td><td>273rd Report under Justice B.S. Chauhan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Main Recommendation<\/td><td>Standalone anti-torture legislation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coverage<\/td><td>Included both physical and mental torture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Outcome<\/td><td>Bill was not passed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Reason Given<\/td><td>The existing legal framework considered sufficient<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Continuing Concern<\/td><td>Psychological torture remains inadequately addressed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-india-s-comparison-with-the-global-trends\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indias_Comparison_with_the_Global_Trends\"><\/span>India\u2019s Comparison with the Global Trends<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India\u2019s legal position is not compatible with both regional and global developments. Many Asian countries have enacted anti-torture legislation that recognizes both mental and physical torture. Like the Philippines enacted the Anti-Torture Act, 2009, which clearly stated that sleep deprivation, blindfolding, and long interrogating hours are forms of torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thailand also enacted the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, 2022. Standalone anti-torture law is not limited to only developed countries; developing countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have standalone anti-torture legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-international-legal-framework\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_Legal_Framework\"><\/span>International Legal Framework<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The United Kingdom punishes torture under Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1988, while the United States enacted specific anti-torture legislation following ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prohibition against torture in international law is identified as <em>a jus cogens<\/em> norm. The United Nations Convention Against Torture recognizes mental suffering as a way of torture and places the onus on the states to criminalize torture with the help of domestic legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-current-position-of-india\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Current_Position_of_India\"><\/span>Current Position of India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India still relies mainly on constitutional interpretation and fragmented provisions of criminal law and case precedent. The absence of a proper standalone anti-torture law leaves room for torture by other means without criminal accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-comparison-between-india-and-global-approaches\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_Between_India_and_Global_Approaches\"><\/span>Comparison Between India and Global Approaches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Country\/Region<\/th><th>Legal Position<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>India<\/td><td>Relies on constitutional interpretation and fragmented criminal law provisions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Philippines<\/td><td>Anti-Torture Act, 2009, recognizes physical and psychological torture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Thailand<\/td><td>Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, 2022<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sri Lanka<\/td><td>Standalone anti-torture legislation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bangladesh<\/td><td>Standalone anti-torture legislation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>United Kingdom<\/td><td>Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1988, criminalizes torture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>United States<\/td><td>Specific anti-torture legislation after ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Torture<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-major-concerns-in-the-present-framework\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Concerns_in_the_Present_Framework\"><\/span>Major Concerns in the Present Framework<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Absence of a standalone anti-torture law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Psychological torture is not expressly criminalized.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heavy reliance on constitutional interpretation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fragmented criminal law provisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limited criminal accountability for custodial psychological abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My core argument, which I want to convey with the help of this article, is that the issue is no longer whether psychological suffering constitutes constitutional harm. Indian courts have identified that humiliation, intimidation, and mental suffering violate Article 21. The 273rd Law Commission Report mentioned that torture has two arms: one can be physical and the other can be psychological, for which it recommended standalone legislation, the Anti-Torture Bill of 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The central problem is whether the Indian criminal law is willing to identify custodial psychological torture as a distinct punishable offense. In custodial violence, officials mostly use non-physical forms of torture, as it leaves no evidence, and the limitations of India\u2019s present framework become more apparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judicial safeguards alone are incapable of issuing this problem. Unless Indian legislation explicitly recognizes psychological torture as a distinct way of custodial abuse and initiates criminal action against it, till then the most inhuman behavior to mankind will keep on going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-table-of-cases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Table_of_Cases\"><\/span>Table of Cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Sl. No.<\/th><th>Case Name<\/th><th>Citation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Arvinder Singh Bagga v State of Uttar Pradesh<\/td><td>(1995) 6 SCC 565.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Cantoral-Benavides v Peru<\/td><td>Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Judgment of 18 August 2000.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>D.K. Basu v State of West Bengal<\/td><td>(1997) 1 SCC 416.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Dr Rini Johar v State of Madhya Pradesh<\/td><td>(2016) 11 SCC 703.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Ireland v United Kingdom<\/td><td>(1978) 2 EHRR 25.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Keenan v United Kingdom<\/td><td>(2001) 33 EHRR 38.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>Kudla v Poland<\/td><td>(2000) 35 EHRR 198.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Mehmood Nayyar Azam v State of Chhattisgarh<\/td><td>(2012) 8 SCC 1.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Raghubir Singh v State of Haryana<\/td><td>(1980) 3 SCC 70.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Ram Lakhan Singh v State of Uttar Pradesh<\/td><td>(2015) 16 SCC 715.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11<\/td><td>Shatrughan Chauhan v Union of India<\/td><td>(2014) 3 SCC 1.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12<\/td><td>Soering v United Kingdom<\/td><td>(1989) 11 EHRR 439.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>13<\/td><td>State of Madhya Pradesh v Shyam Sunder Trivedi<\/td><td>(1995) 4 SCC 262.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>14<\/td><td>State of Uttar Pradesh v Ram Sagar Yadav<\/td><td>(1985) 1 SCC 552.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>15<\/td><td>Sube Singh v State of Haryana<\/td><td>(2006) 3 SCC 178.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>16<\/td><td>In Re: Ramlila Maidan Incident v Home Secretary, Union of India<\/td><td>(2012) 5 SCC 1.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17<\/td><td>Yavuz v Turkey<\/td><td>App. No. 67137\/01 (European Court of Human Rights, 10 January 2006).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-bibliography\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bibliography\"><\/span>Bibliography<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-statutes-and-legislation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Statutes_and_Legislation\"><\/span>Statutes and Legislation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constitution of India, 1950.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Criminal Justice Act 1988 (United Kingdom).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Convention Against Torture Act 1994 (Sri Lanka).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013 (Bangladesh).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act 2022 (Pakistan).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anti-Torture Act 2009 (Philippines).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act 2022 (Thailand).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>18 U.S.C. 2340\u20132340A (United States Torture Act).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-international-instruments\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_Instruments\"><\/span>International Instruments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 1984.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-reports\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reports\"><\/span>Reports<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Law Commission of India, Report No. 273, <em>Implementation of \u2018United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment\u2019 through Legislation<\/em> (2017).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Human Rights Commission, Annual Reports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India Data Map, <em>\u2018State-wise Custodial Deaths in India in 2025\u2019<\/em> (India Data Map, 8 October 2025), https:\/\/indiadatamap.com\/2025\/10\/08\/state-wise-custodial-deaths-in-india-in-2025\/ accessed 20 June 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People&#8217;s Watch, Reports on Custodial Violence and Anti-Torture Law Reform.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People&#8217;s Watch, <em>Ambasamudram Custodial Torture by ASP Balveer Singh IPS and His Team<\/em> (People&#8217;s Watch, 24 February 2024).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-journal-articles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Journal_Articles\"><\/span>Journal Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hari Abishek P and Shilpa Mehrotra, <em>\u2018A Critical Analysis of Custodial Violence in India, with a Special Emphasis on Human Rights\u2019<\/em> (2025) 5(10) Indian Journal of Legal Review 677\u2013683.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-newspaper-articles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Newspaper_Articles\"><\/span>Newspaper Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>\u2018Enact Separate Comprehensive Law Criminalizing Custodial Torture,&#8217;<\/em> The Times of India (Madurai, 11 July 2025).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>\u2018Enact Law Against Custodial Torture on Anti-Sterlite Anniversary: NGO to CM,&#8217;<\/em> The Times of India (Madurai, 17 May 2025).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-online-sources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Online_Sources\"><\/span>Online Sources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Law Commission of India Official Website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>United Nations Committee Against Torture Materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supreme Court of India Official Website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Human Rights Commission Website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Campaign Against Torture Website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People&#8217;s Watch Website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-deaths-in-india-breaking-the-cycle-of-impunity\/\">Custodial Deaths In India: Breaking The Cycle Of Impunity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-violence-and-police-accountability\/\">Custodial Violence and Police Accountability<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/rights-of-prisoners-in-india\/\">Rights Of Prisoners In India<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/custodial-crimes-and-constitutional-safeguards-in-india\/\">Custodial Crimes and Constitutional Safeguards in India<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/beyond-the-third-degree-the-evolution-from-coercion-to-cognition\/\">Beyond the Third Degree: The Evolution from Coercion to Cognition<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Custodial torture remains one of the most heinous acts against humanity in any democracy. Despite having Article 21 in our Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and to live with dignity, the continuing deaths in custody raise serious questions about the existing legal framework. Despite repeated condemnation of custodial torture by the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1289,"featured_media":27688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[4798,28],"class_list":["post-27628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-criminal-law","tag-criminal-law","tag-top-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.9 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Custodial Torture in India: Judicial Recognition, Legislative Silence, and the Unaddressed Problem of Psychological Abuse - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Can India stop custodial torture? 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