📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Mahi zahidi
Crime
Court Rejects Relief for Police Officers, Labels Custodial Violence a Crime
✍️ India Today
🗓 12 Sep 2026, 04:39 AM
👁 39
A higher court ruled that custodial violence and molestation are criminal acts, denying a petition seeking relief for police officers.
The bench of a senior Indian court dismissed a petition filed by a group of police officers seeking legal protection for actions taken while in custody. The petition argued that certain measures during interrogation were part of official duty, but the court rejected this premise.
In its judgment, the court emphasized that any form of violence or sexual molestation committed against detainees is a punishable offence under Indian law. Consequently, the request for immunity or relief for the officers was denied.
Legal experts noted that the ruling reinforces existing jurisprudence that custodial misconduct cannot be justified as a duty. The decision is expected to strengthen accountability mechanisms within law‑enforcement agencies and may prompt further scrutiny of police practices across the country.
In its judgment, the court emphasized that any form of violence or sexual molestation committed against detainees is a punishable offence under Indian law. Consequently, the request for immunity or relief for the officers was denied.
Legal experts noted that the ruling reinforces existing jurisprudence that custodial misconduct cannot be justified as a duty. The decision is expected to strengthen accountability mechanisms within law‑enforcement agencies and may prompt further scrutiny of police practices across the country.