Prayagraj: The UP DGP Mr. Prashant Kumar IPS emphasized that even if a person is charged with a serious crime, it is the police’s constitutional duty to present the accused safely before the court. Expressing concern over custodial deaths in Uttar Pradesh, DGP Mr. Prashant Kumar IPS issued strict directives to all police commissioners and district police chiefs, outlining measures to prevent such incidents.
He stressed that even those accused of severe crimes must be safely presented before the court, according to the constitution. Despite orders from police headquarters to eliminate custodial deaths, DGP Mr. Prashant Kumar acknowledged recent incidents showing disregard for these orders.
The DGP instructed police to ensure the safety of individuals in custody. From arresting and confining them, police must follow Supreme Court guidelines precisely. The order also directed police officials to adhere to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines, emphasizing the need to verify an individual’s health status before interrogation to avoid questioning those suffering from serious illnesses.
“Any sick arrestee should not be taken to a police station, and if such a person becomes ill at the station, immediate hospital treatment should be provided,” the missive directed. The UP DGP’s guidelines stress that no one should be brought to or detained at a police station without the supervising officer’s knowledge. If a person is brought in, documentation should be promptly completed. Injured or seriously unwell individuals should not be held in lockup but taken to the hospital for immediate care.
Interrogations should use psychological techniques and patience in the presence of a responsible officer, with no physical harm inflicted. No private individual should be allowed to question a detainee, only the police station in-charge or an inspector/sub-inspector assigned by the in-charge.
The 18-point guidelines also require lockups to be free of hooks or windows, with detainees allowed only the clothes they wear. The day officer should ensure the detainee does not possess any items that could aid in suicide attempts, such as ropes, sharp objects, or drugs.
