State vs. prison inmates — Sabari Varman custodial death case

A 26-year-old man, Sai Krishna, allegedly died in police custody at Krishna Lanka Police Station in Vijayawada, NTR district, between May 9 and early hours of the next day. The NHRC sought reports from the Andhra Pradesh DGP and Chief Secretary regarding illegal detention, torture, alleged death, and body disposal. An FIR was registered against former CI Nagaraju.

A 32-year-old man allegedly died in custody at Kabisurya Nagar police station in Ganjam district, Odisha. The National Human Rights Commission has sought an action taken report from the district administration regarding the circumstances of the death and police conduct.

Kamji Gond died allegedly as a result of custodial assault by police officers in Ballia district, Varanasi. A murder FIR was registered against two police constables, a village head, and three others. The case is under inquiry and the accused police officers have been suspended.

A PIL was filed in Jharkhand High Court challenging an NHRC circular that withdrew its earlier directive mandating judicial inquiries in all custodial death, disappearance, and rape cases. The petition references the case Mohammad Mumtaz Ansari vs State of Jharkhand.

A 19-year-old died in police custody in Delhi, allegedly by suicide. The father sued for compensation. The Delhi High Court awarded ₹18.44 lakh in compensation, holding that an unnatural death in custody, even if by suicide, constitutes State responsibility and attracts liability regardless of direct culpability.

A custodial death or violence case involving police personnel in Madhya Pradesh where the accused police officers claimed protection under Section 197 CrPC. The Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected the claim, holding that custodial violence does not fall within the scope of official duty and does not require sanction for prosecution.