SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has reported eight custodial deaths between April 2021 and March 2026, with no such case recorded so far in 2025, while the Union Territory has 4,568 undertrial prisoners and 199 convicts in its jails, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.
According to data shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Jammu and Kashmir recorded two custodial deaths each in 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25, with zero cases reported up to March 15, 2026.
Providing a gender-wise break-up, the National Crime Records Bureau data shows that among convicts in Jammu and Kashmir, 193 are male and 6 are female. Among undertrials, 4,399 are male and 169 are female.
The custodial death data, sourced from the National Human Rights Commission, places Jammu and Kashmir among regions with relatively lower figures compared to several large states.
Nationally, custodial deaths stood at 176 in 2021–22, 163 in 2022–23, 157 in 2023–24, 140 in 2024–25 and 170 cases reported up to March 15, 2026.
The government said that “police and public order” are State subjects, but mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability. As per NHRC guidelines, every custodial death—whether in police or judicial custody—must be reported within 24 hours.
The Commission has also mandated video recording of post-mortems and use of standardised autopsy protocols to rule out negligence or foul play. In cases where inquiry establishes misconduct, the NHRC recommends prosecution or disciplinary action, to be carried out by the respective State or Union Territory authorities.
The Ministry said these measures are aimed at strengthening transparency and safeguarding the rights of individuals in custody across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
