Srinagar: The Union Government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that eight custodial deaths have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir since April 2021, with year-wise data indicating a consistent pattern over the past four years.
The details were shared in response to an unstarred question raised by MPs Selvaraj V, K. Subbarayan and Rajkumar Roat.
Responding to the query, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Jammu and Kashmir recorded two custodial deaths in 2021–22, two in 2022–23, two in 2023–24, and two in 2024–25. Additionally, there have been no reported custodial deaths in 2025 up to March 15.
He said that at present, there are 4,568 undertrial prisoners and 199 convicts lodged in jails across Jammu and Kashmir, as per NCRB data as on December 31, 2023.
Providing details, the minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that among convicts, 193 are male and 6 female, while among undertrials, 4,399 are male and 169 female.
He said that to ensure accountability, every custodial death—whether in police or judicial custody—is required to be reported to the NHRC within 24 hours.
The government has also mandated video recording of post-mortem examinations and the use of standardised autopsy formats to rule out foul play or negligence.
In cases where negligence by public servants is established, the NHRC recommends prosecution, while disciplinary action is taken by the concerned State or UT administration.
The minister reiterated that ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects, and responsibility for action in such matters lies with respective State governments and UT administrations.
