Are existing mechanisms effective in preventing custodial violence?

The gruesome death of security guard Ajith Kumar, 27, while in police custody in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district last month, is yet another grim addition to the long and growing list of custodial deaths in India. In response, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has ordered a CBI probe to ensure a transparent investigation, and the Madras High Court has directed the agency to complete its inquiry and submit a report by August 20. Are the existing institutional mechanisms effective in preventing custodial violence? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Anup Surendranath, Professor and Executive Director of The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; M. Srinivasan, Professor of Criminology at the University of Madras Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Read the parley article here. You can now find The Hindu’s podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected]