The Aryavarth Express New Delhi, March 24: The government informed Parliament on Tuesday that 170 custodial death cases have been reported across India between January 1 and March 15, 2026.
The data, shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs based on information from the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), shows a rise compared to recent annual figures.
According to the state-wise data from 2021 to 2026, 140 custodial death cases were recorded in 2024–25. This compares with 157 cases in 2023–24, 163 in 2022–23, and 176 in 2021–22.
Among states, Bihar has reported the highest number of custodial deaths so far this year, with 19 cases. Rajasthan follows with 18, and Uttar Pradesh with 15. Punjab, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have each reported 14 cases.
In southern India, Tamil Nadu recorded seven cases, Telangana five, and Karnataka and Kerala three each. In the eastern region, West Bengal reported seven cases, while Odisha recorded nine.
In the northeast, Assam reported five cases and Arunachal Pradesh three. Several smaller states and Union Territories, including Mizoram, Sikkim, and Ladakh, reported no custodial deaths during this period.
Among Union Territories, Delhi recorded four cases, while Jammu and Kashmir reported none so far in 2026. Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry recorded one case each.
Overall, the data indicates an increase in custodial deaths in the current year compared to the previous financial year, with notable variation across states.
