United Nations human rights experts have issued a stark warning to the Government of India, citing a pattern of systemic failures in policing that have allegedly resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and widespread custodial torture. In a statement released today, the experts called for immediate, independent investigations into these claims and urged comprehensive reforms to modernize India’s law enforcement in line with international human rights standards.
“These allegations paint a picture of law enforcement violence that is not sporadic, but systemic,” the experts said. They emphasized that if the reports are substantiated, they point to grave violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, the absolute prohibition of torture, and the right to non-discrimination — all recognized as jus cogens norms in international law.
The experts expressed alarm that these operations often appear to bypass lawful policing and due process, replacing them with summary violence. “Every incident must be promptly, independently, and transparently investigated in accordance with applicable international standards,” they stressed, warning that failure to do so risks normalizing abuse and eroding public trust in law enforcement.
Credible information received by the UN team suggests that excessive and sometimes lethal force is particularly pervasive in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The practices reportedly include so-called “encounters” and “half-encounters,” which mask unlawful killings, as well as widespread custodial torture. Marginalized communities, including Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis, are said to be disproportionately affected, highlighting systemic discrimination embedded in enforcement practices.
“Even the use of terms such as ‘encounters’ and ‘half-encounters’ masks a pervasive and dehumanizing practice,” the experts noted, “that risks normalizing unlawful violence and eroding public trust in law enforcement.” They also raised concerns over persistent reports of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in police and judicial custody, including beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, psychological humiliation, and denial of medical care. These abuses reportedly occur in both official and unofficial detention sites, with chronic overcrowding and poor facilities compounding the harm.
The UN team pointed to significant gaps in India’s legal framework that facilitate these violations. India has not ratified the Convention against Torture, and domestic law does not explicitly criminalize torture. Moreover, recent legislative reforms have expanded police powers while weakening protections against abuse. Existing safeguards, such as Supreme Court directives requiring CCTV in police stations and guidelines for investigating encounters, are frequently ignored, the experts said.
“States have a heightened duty of care to protect the right to life and integrity of all persons during arrest and in custody,” the statement said. Authorities must criminalize torture, promptly investigate complaints, exclude evidence obtained under coercion, and provide victims with effective remedies including rehabilitation. The experts concluded that “there appears to be a systemic failure of policing to meet basic human rights standards.” They urged India to shift away from a culture of power and violence toward service-oriented, rights-respecting policing as a matter of urgent priority.
The experts also condemned reported harassment and reprisals against victims, their families, lawyers, medical personnel, and civil society actors seeking accountability. “Silencing those who seek justice is incompatible with an open and democratic society,” they said, highlighting the broader risks to democratic governance and the rule of law.
The Special Rapporteurs have formally written to the Government of India on these concerns and expressed their willingness to provide technical advice to support reforms. They indicated that monitoring of the situation will continue, reinforcing the UN’s call for transparency, accountability, and systemic overhaul of India’s policing practices.
