Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully Wednesday expressed concern over the increasing number of deaths in police custody in Rajasthan, calling it a failure of the state govt.In a letter to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Jully flagged what he described as an “alarming” deterioration in the state’s law and order situation. Highlighting recent incidents, Jully said reports of accused persons dying in police custody in various parts of the state over the past few months are deeply disturbing and raise critical questions about the functioning of the democratic and justice systems. Citing data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Jully noted that 170 prisoners died in police custody across the country up to March 15 in the financial year 2025-26, with Rajasthan ranking second among states. He added that custodial deaths in the state rose sharply, from nine last year to 18 in the current year, doubling within a short span. Jully demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into all recent custodial deaths. He also called for the registration of murder cases against officials found guilty and sought swift and strict action. Additionally, he urged the govt to implement stringent human rights protection protocols in police stations and ensure adequate financial compensation and assistance to the families of victims. Referring to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Jully emphasised that the state bears complete responsibility for the safety of individuals in police custody. “The increasing number of deaths due to torture and inhumane treatment indicates a worrying trend,” he said. He described custodial violence as a gross violation of human rights, stressing that the rule of law must be upheld through impartial investigation rather than intimidation. Jully alleged that in many cases, erring police personnel are merely suspended instead of facing strict punitive action, allowing such matters to fade without accountability. Raising concerns about surveillance, he pointed out that despite clear directives from the Supreme Court, CCTV cameras in several police stations remain non-functional, casting doubts on the administration’s intent. “No one has the right to take the law into their own hands under the cover of a uniform. If protectors turn predators, public faith in the justice system will erode,” Jully said.
