State-wise Custodial Deaths in India in 2025

Custodial deaths in India, which occur when individuals die while in police or judicial custody, raise significant concerns regarding human rights, law enforcement practices, and accountability.

These occurrences frequently involve claims of torture, neglect, or the use of excessive force, highlighting the troubling aspects of India’s law enforcement system.

This article examines the estimated ranking of custodial deaths across India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2025, delving into the statistics, investigating the reasons behind the higher reports in certain states, and elucidating the broader issues that contribute to this dilemma.

The estimates are derived from historical data, including the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2023 report, recent trends, and preliminary reports for 2025, as official data for that year will not be available until 2026.

State-wise Police Custodial Deaths in India 2025

Rank	State/UT	Estimated Custodial Deaths (2025)
1	Maharashtra	19
2	Gujarat	14
3	Rajasthan	11
4	Uttar Pradesh	7
5	Punjab	5
6	Tamil Nadu	5
7	Madhya Pradesh	5
8	Bihar	4
9	West Bengal	4
10	Assam	3
11	Delhi	3
12	Karnataka	3
13	Telangana	3
14	Andhra Pradesh	2
15	Chhattisgarh	2
16	Haryana	2
17	Jharkhand	2
18	Odisha	2
19	Jammu and Kashmir	1
20	Kerala	1
21	Manipur	1
22	Tripura	1
23	Uttarakhand	1
24	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0
25	Arunachal Pradesh	0
26	Chandigarh	0
27	DNHDD	0
28	Goa	0
29	Himachal Pradesh	0
30	Ladakh	0
31	Lakshadweep	0
32	Meghalaya	0
33	Mizoram	0
34	Nagaland	0
35	Puducherry	0
36	Sikkim	0

The projected data for 2025 reveals a stark disparity among India’s regions. Maharashtra leads the list with 19 custodial deaths, followed by Gujarat with 14 and Rajasthan with 11.

Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh report between 7 and 5 deaths each.

Smaller states and Union Territories such as Lakshadweep, Sikkim, and Mizoram report no cases.

On a national scale, the estimate for deaths in police custody is approximately 110, reflecting a slight increase from around 100 in 2023, based on a 10% rise observed in recent years by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

State-wise Judicial Custodial Deaths in India 2025

Rank	State/UT	Estimated Judicial Custodial Deaths (2025)
1	Uttar Pradesh	300
2	Maharashtra	180
3	Bihar	130
4	Madhya Pradesh	120
5	Tamil Nadu	100
6	West Bengal	95
7	Andhra Pradesh	85
8	Karnataka	80
9	Gujarat	75
10	Rajasthan	70
11	Telangana	65
12	Odisha	60
13	Punjab	55
14	Haryana	45
15	Jharkhand	40
16	Delhi	35
17	Kerala	30
18	Chhattisgarh	28
19	Assam	24
20	Uttarakhand	18
21	Himachal Pradesh	14
22	Jammu and Kashmir	10
23	Tripura	8
24	Manipur	7
25	Goa	4
26	Chandigarh	2
27	Puducherry	2
28	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1
29	Arunachal Pradesh	1
30	Meghalaya	1
31	Mizoram	1
32	Nagaland	1
33	Sikkim	1
34	DNHDD	0
35	Ladakh	0
36	Lakshadweep	0

When including deaths in judicial custody (prisons), the total may reach approximately 1,650, consistent with NHRC’s annual average of over 2,000 deaths.

What accounts for such significant variations in these numbers? Let us analyze the situation.

Why Some States Have Higher Numbers

Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan Are Notable Examples.

Maharashtra’s estimated 19 deaths can be attributed to its large population (exceeding 120 million) and elevated arrest rates.

The urban hubs of Mumbai and Pune experience significant police activity, resulting in a higher number of individuals in custody.

An increase in arrests correlates with a greater likelihood of incidents, particularly in overcrowded detention facilities where neglect or violence may arise.

Gujarat, with 14 reported deaths, exhibits a comparable trend. Historical data indicates 80 custodial deaths from 2017 to 2022, frequently associated with aggressive policing in cities such as Ahmedabad.

Rajasthan’s 11 deaths are linked to recent statistics (10 cases from January to August 2025) and a prior record of 7 deaths in 2023. In rural regions, social tensions, including caste conflicts, often exacerbate police interactions.

Uttar Pradesh and Punjab: Underlying Systemic Challenges

Uttar Pradesh, reporting 7 deaths, has a longstanding history of custodial problems, with 41 deaths in police custody over a five-year span (2017–2022).

Its vast population (over 200 million) and a police force that is understaffed by 30% contribute to overcrowded facilities and expedited investigations, which can lead to instances of abuse.

In contrast, Punjab’s 5 deaths arise from a distinct issue: drug-related arrests. The state has documented 31 deaths over five years, with 10 occurring in 2022–2023 alone, as law enforcement intensifies efforts against drug networks, occasionally employing heavy-handed methods.

Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh: A Blend of Urban and Rural Challenges

Tamil Nadu’s 5 deaths include a notable incident in July 2025 involving Ajith Kumar, which ignited public outrage.

The state’s urban areas, such as Chennai, witness frequent arrests, while rural locales report instances of custodial violence linked to local power structures.

Madhya Pradesh, also recording 5 deaths, reflects a similar urban-rural divide.

Its annual average of 4–6 deaths highlights the overcrowding in police stations and prisons, particularly in tribal areas where law enforcement can become excessively harsh.

Smaller States and Union Territories: Why Zero?

Regions such as Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Nagaland have reported no fatalities.

These locations possess smaller populations (for instance, Lakshadweep has merely 64,000 residents) and experience fewer arrests, which diminishes the likelihood of custodial incidents.

Additionally, low crime rates and less burdened police systems contribute to this phenomenon.

For instance, the tranquil tribal communities in Mizoram and the compact size of Sikkim result in fewer individuals being taken into custody initially.

Union Territories like Chandigarh and Puducherry exhibit similar trends, with very low custody numbers.

What Causes Custodial Deaths?

Numerous factors contribute to the occurrence of custodial deaths, with certain states experiencing greater challenges.

Overcrowding and Inadequate Infrastructure

A significant number of police lockups and prisons function beyond their intended capacity.

For example, the jails in Uttar Pradesh frequently accommodate double the number of inmates they were designed for.

This overcrowding results in neglect, insufficient medical care, and heightened stress, which can lead to fatalities (often classified as ‘natural’ or ‘suicide’ in official reports).

In 2023, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported a total of 2,739 custodial deaths, many of which were linked to health neglect in overcrowded facilities.

Lack of Accountability

Law enforcement personnel often encounter minimal scrutiny. Officers accused of torture or violence seldom face consequences due to inadequate oversight and legal loopholes.

In India, laws such as Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code necessitate government consent to prosecute public servants, thereby protecting errant officers.

According to NHRC data from 2023, only 4% of custodial death cases resulted in convictions.

Torture and Excessive Force

Reports of physical abuse are prevalent. In a case from Tamil Nadu in 2025, it was alleged that police officers assaulted Ajith Kumar during interrogation, resulting in his death.

Similar incidents have been reported in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where extrajudicial killings, referred to as ‘encounter killings,’ are sometimes misclassified as custodial deaths.

Human rights organizations estimate that 20–30% of deaths in police custody involve torture.

Socioeconomic and Regional Influences

Marginalized communities—such as Dalits, tribal groups, and minorities—are at a heightened risk.

In states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, tribal populations frequently find themselves in conflict with police over land or resource issues, which can lead to arrests and, in some cases, fatalities.

In urban areas like Delhi (with 3 reported deaths), problems are often associated with organized crime operations, where suspects endure rigorous interrogations.

Reasons for Potential Discrepancies in the Numbers

These projections are based on trends since official data for 2025 is not yet available.

The NCRB’s “Crime in India” report for 2023, published in October 2025, provided the most recent comprehensive state-wise analysis.

The NHRC’s 2024 statistic (2,739 total deaths) and preliminary 2025 data (for instance, Rajasthan’s 10 cases) contributed to the formulation of these figures.

However, underreporting remains a significant concern. Victims’ families, particularly in rural regions, may refrain from lodging complaints due to fear or limited access to the NHRC.

On the other hand, initiatives such as the Supreme Court-mandated installation of CCTV in police stations (implemented between 2022 and 2024) could potentially reduce actual fatalities in certain states, resulting in slightly inflated estimates.

How Can India Address This Issue?

To decrease custodial deaths, decisive measures are necessary. The installation of CCTV in all police stations, as mandated by the Supreme Court, is beneficial but not infallible—cameras may be disabled or footage may be “lost.”

Educating police personnel on human rights and de-escalation techniques, particularly in high-risk states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, could mitigate instances of abuse.

Enacting more stringent legislation, such as the anti-torture bill proposed in 2017 but never enacted, would ensure accountability for officers.

Lastly, tackling underlying issues—such as poverty, caste-related conflicts, and overcrowded prisons—could lead to a reduction in arrests and confrontations.

Source

• National Crime Records Bureau. (2023). Crime in India 2023. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• National Human Rights Commission. (2022). Annual Report 2021-22. Government of India.