Aathi Kesavan A, Christ (Deemed to be) University
ABSTRACT
Law in all counties authorises and permits police to use force under some circumstances. It is their mandate and it cannot be questioned. It is the police who have to protect the society from the offenders and to reduce the acts of murderers, robberers, criminals, and terrorists to make the place safe to live in. But in the name of protection they inflict brutality ignoring the law of the land. Countries like India gave so much power to the police, they are the agent of the government and the government is the agent of the people. Ultimately policemen are accountable for the people and they are for the people. How can they be allowed to break the laws while they deal with the law breakers? Why has the Police been given such power in Custody? The Violence and Cruel punishment by police is totally against the accused basic human and fundamental rights. When a person is being accused for murder or theft, the police are under pressure and even compelled to finish the case as soon as possible. So policemen handle harsh treatment to the accused to get the facts and even charge a false FIR and false statement against the accused and may compel them to agree on the crime which they never did.
Police use third-degree methods to get confessions from the accused which results in serious injuries and even deaths in custody. This results in increased deaths and suicide and critical injuries. In India, the Supreme Court directed the Central and state government to look into the matter and to downsize such practices and to create laws on the same. But, in India there is no such Anti-torture law; we have only remedies on the same under the Indian Penal code.
