Threat to human rights highest in police stations: CJI | Economic Times

The threat to human rights is the highest in police stations as custodial torture and other police atrocities still prevail in India and even the privileged are “not spared third-degree treatment”, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said on Sunday while batting for a nationwide effort for the “sensitisation of police officers”. The CJI, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, said that to keep police excesses in check, dissemination of information about the constitutional right to legal aid and availability of free legal aid services is necessary. “The installation of display boards and outdoor hoardings in every police station/prison is a step in this direction,” he said, adding that “NALSA must also actively carry out nationwide sensitisation of police officers”. He was speaking at the launch of a legal service mobile application and the vision and mission statement of NALSA at Vigyan Bhawan here. The mobile App will help poor and needy people in applying for legal aid and seek victim compensation. “The threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the highest in police stations. Custodial torture and other police atrocities are problems that still prevail in our society. In spite of constitutional declarations and guarantees, the lack of effective legal representation at the police stations is a huge detriment to arrested/detained persons. The decisions taken in these early hours will later determine the ability of the accused to defend himself. Going by the recent reports even the privileged are not spared third-degree treatment,” the CJI said.With inputs from PTI