Patiala, March 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Punjab state of India, where Sikhs are spearheading a movement for their independent homeland, Khalistan, recorded the third highest number of deaths in judicial custody in the last five years after Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states of India.

The advisory, issued by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) has said that the custodial deaths is a serious matter and indicates lapses in supervision of police stations by senior officers in Punjab in India. The authorities have warned in case of custodial death or torture, the responsibility of senior officers will be fixed. Following three custodial deaths in the past few weeks, two in March alone, the Punjab Police have issued an advisory to SSPs and Commissioners to brief junior officers to ensure the safety of arrested persons.

The advisory, issued by the ADGP (Law and Order), reads, “It’s a serious matter and indicates lapses in supervision of police stations by senior officers.” All senior officers have been directed to brief DSPs, SHOs and police post heads to be vigilant and ensure the safety accused persons as per law. “No negligence should be tolerated. In case of any eventuality, senior officers must ensure prompt action as per law,” the advisory reads.

A senior IPS officer confirmed that despite repeated directions by various courts, the officers concerned were showing reluctance in transparent monitoring of police stations and custodial rooms. Earlier, the Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai had informed the Lok Sabha that UP registered the highest number of 126 deaths in judicial custody between 2018-19 and 2020-21, followed by Bihar (58) and Punjab (32). Punjab has nearly 24,000 prisoners in its 25 jails.

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