Rajasthan reports 20 custodial deaths in two years, civil rights groups demand judicial probe
Jaipur : Rajasthan has reported 20 deaths in police custody between August 2023 and August 2025, with most cases attributed to health issues, according to a report tabled in the State Assembly during its monsoon session, which concluded on September 10.
The report, presented in response to a query by Congress MLA and chief whip Rafiq Khan, stated that 12 deaths were linked to health conditions, six were recorded as suicides and one person died after falling into a well while attempting to escape. In none of the cases was police personnel found guilty, reported The Hindu.
Civil rights groups have raised alarm over the figures, calling for judicial inquiries into every incident. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) described the deaths as “a grave violation of human rights” and criticised what it termed the masking of torture and neglect behind claims of suicide or medical complications.
“Every custodial death reflects administrative negligence. The increase in such cases is not only an assault on human dignity but also a blatant breach of the Constitution, Supreme Court rulings, and NHRC directives,” PUCL-Rajasthan president Bhanwar Meghwanshi said on Friday.
The PUCL demanded mandatory judicial investigations, strict departmental action against responsible officials, compensation and rehabilitation for victims’ families, and the installation of CCTV cameras in all custody centres with secure data preservation.
The Supreme Court has recently taken suo motu cognisance of non-functional CCTVs in police stations, for closer scrutiny of custodial practices across states.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
