Status of Policing in India Report 2025: Police Torture and (Un)Accountability

The SPIR 2025 explores the nature, causes and factors that contribute to the perpetuation of police violence and torture in India. This report seeks to understand the police’s attitudes towards torture and the normalisation of its use. The report also includes the perspectives and experiences of other accountability actors, namely doctors, lawyers, and judges. It is the first such study, to employ mixed methodological tools such as surveys of police personnel, interviews, and data analysis.

Common Cause, in collaboration with the Lokniti Programme of CSDS, surveyed 8,276 police personnel of various ranks, at 82 locations such as police stations, police lines, and courts, across 17 states and UTs. Responses were gathered from urban and rural areas, state capitals, district headquarters, and other small, medium and big towns. The respondents cover the ranks of constables (Constables and Head Constables), upper subordinates (from the ranks of Assistant Sub-Inspector to Deputy Superintendent of the Police), and IPS officers. The study also includes in-depth interviews with doctors, lawyers, and judges whose jobs involve interacting with the police and people in custody.

The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion of police personnel justify the use of torture and violence in the course of their duties, and also believe that they should be allowed to use force without any fear of punishment.

Download the updated version of the report here:

Status of Policing in India Report 2025 Police Torture and (Un)Accountability

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Executive Summary SPIR 2025 (हिन्दी)

Download: Executive Summary SPIR 2025

Download: Press Release English

Download: Press Release Hindi