ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by Vijay HiremathSubscribe to Vijay Hiremath

Police Atrocities and the Quest for Justice

In recent times, we have witnessed an exponential increase in incidence of police atrocities all over the country. Catapulted by the June 2020 case of brutal custodial torture and killings of Jayaraj and Bennix in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, this article examines the issue through human rights and legal perspectives. It discusses the gaps in the law and its implementation, and examines ways of addressing the same.

Bail and a Life of Dignity

The saga of G N Saibaba's arrest, merely on grounds that he was a member of a banned organisation, and his continued incarceration despite having 90% disability, raises a number of questions about our criminal justice system in general and the treatment of bail applications, in particular.

Ignoring Custodial Deaths in India

There is justifiable anguish over the killing of Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani jail but what about the thousands of deaths in police and judicial custody in India? Torture is common and rampant in police custody and deaths in so-called police encounters are routinely reported. Politicians and the media are demanding justice for Sarabjit. When will the Indian government hold the police and jail officials responsible for custodial deaths accountable and compensate the next of kin?

 

Draft Policy on Prison Reforms

The draft national policy on prison reform and correctional administration (prepared by a committee that had only police officers as members) makes a few prisoner-friendly recommendations, but it is silent on important aspects like the need to improve the legal aid system, ensure prompt release of those who have been acquitted or discharged and care for the health of prisoners.

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