Protection from Torture and Custodial Violence in Kerala
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Indian central (Union) law — Constitution of India, central Acts of Parliament, and Supreme Court decisions. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and High Court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Custodial violence — physical or mental torture in police custody — is both unconstitutional and a criminal offence in India.
- Article 21 has been read by the Supreme Court to include the right to be free from torture while in custody.
- BNS s. 117 punishes any officer who voluntarily causes hurt or grievous hurt to extort a confession — up to 7 years for hurt, up to 10 years for grievous hurt, plus fine.
- D.K. Basu safeguards: the arrested person must be medically examined on arrival at the station and again on request, and the medical record becomes its own evidence trail.
- Custodial deaths trigger a mandatory magisterial inquiry and NHRC scrutiny.
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) can investigate and recommend compensation and disciplinary action.
When does it apply?
- You or a family member is being beaten, threatened or coerced in police custody.
- Someone has died or been injured while in police custody.
- Third-degree methods have been used to push a confession.
What to Do If Police in India Use Violence or Torture While You Are in Custody
- Demand a medical examination immediately on arrest and again on arrival at the station. The record you create here is the foundation of any case later.
- Tell your lawyer about every incident of violence. They can raise it at the next remand hearing.
- File a complaint with the NHRC (nhrc.nic.in) or the relevant SHRC — they can recommend compensation and disciplinary action.
- File an FIR against the officers under BNS s. 117 at the nearest police station. If local police refuse, take a written complaint directly to the nearest Judicial Magistrate — the magistrate can take cognizance and order an investigation.
- Also lodge a complaint with the state police's Internal Affairs / Vigilance Cell and the State Police Complaints Authority.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't delay. Bruises fade. See a doctor and report to authorities the moment you are out of custody.
- Don't accept informal money from the police in exchange for silence — that gets used later to argue you settled.
- Don't be afraid to go to the High Court if lower authorities sit on it. The court can order a CBI or independent probe.
How Kerala differs from central law
The Kerala Police Act, 2011 contains strong provisions against custodial violence. Section 55 prohibits the use of torture or any form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by police officers. The Act establishes the State Police Complaints Authority and District Police Complaints Authorities (Section 110) to receive and investigate complaints against police officers, including complaints of custodial violence.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) is empowered to investigate complaints of custodial violence. Every custodial death in Kerala must be reported to the NHRC within 24 hours and to the KSHRC. Post-mortem and magisterial inquiry are mandatory in all custodial death cases. The Kerala High Court has issued directions requiring CCTV cameras in all police stations to prevent custodial violence.
Kerala also has an established tradition of judicial activism on this issue. The Kerala High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of custodial deaths and has ordered compensation to victims' families. Any complaint of custodial torture can also be investigated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which criminalizes hurt by public servants to extract confessions.
Additional Steps in Kerala
Report custodial violence to the Kerala State Human Rights Commission at kshrc.kerala.gov.in or phone 0471-2302590. File a complaint with the District Police Complaints Authority or State Police Complaints Authority under Section 110 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. Also file a complaint with the NHRC at 011-24663333. Seek immediate medical attention and obtain a medico-legal certificate (MLC) from a government hospital. Contact KELSA at 0471-2304076 for free legal representation.
Relevant Law: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 118; Kerala Police Act, 2011, Sections 55 and 110; Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Section 12
Common Questions
When does protection from torture and custodial violence apply?
You or a family member is being beaten, threatened or coerced in police custody.Someone has died or been injured while in police custody.Third-degree methods have been used to push a confession.
What should I do if I or a family member is subjected to violence by police in India while in custody?
Demand a medical examination immediately on arrest and again on arrival at the station. The record you create here is the foundation of any case later.Tell your lawyer about every incident of violence. They can raise it at the next remand hearing.File a complaint with the NHRC (nhrc.nic.in) or the relevant SHRC — they can recommend compensation and disciplinary action.File an FIR against the officers under BNS s. 117 at the nearest police station. If local police refuse, take a written complaint directly to the nearest Judicial Magistrate — the magistrate can take cognizance and order an inves...
What mistakes should I avoid with protection from torture and custodial violence?
Don't delay. Bruises fade. See a doctor and report to authorities the moment you are out of custody.Don't accept informal money from the police in exchange for silence — that gets used later to argue you settled.Don't be afraid to go to the High Court if lower authorities sit on it. The court can order a CBI or independent probe.
Protection from Torture and Custodial Violence in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.
- MaharashtraProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- Uttar PradeshProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- Tamil NaduProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- KarnatakaProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- West BengalProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- DelhiProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence
- GujaratProtection from Torture and Custodial Violence