Opinion piece questions rise of custodial deaths as new form of extrajudicial killings in India

Telangana Today released an opinion column titled “From encounters to custodial deaths: Is India finding new ways to hide extrajudicial killings?”. The piece reflects on a perceived trend where the Indian security apparatus is moving away from public shootouts, known as encounters, toward deaths that occur while suspects are in police custody.

The author argues that custodial deaths are harder to scrutinise than open‑air encounters, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in law‑enforcement agencies. By highlighting this shift, the article suggests that the practice may be used to mask unlawful killings under the guise of natural causes or medical negligence.

While the column does not cite specific cases, it references a broader pattern observed across the country, urging civil‑society groups and the judiciary to demand clearer investigations into all forms of state‑inflicted lethal force.

The opinion calls for stricter oversight mechanisms and independent inquiries to ensure that any loss of life at the hands of authorities is thoroughly examined and justified under the law.