Surveying Three Decades of Extrajudicial Deaths in India

Extrajudicial deaths in India from 1997 to May 2024 are surveyed on the back of an extensive data collection exercise over a period of two years. A quantitative survey of various categories of extrajudicial deaths with national and state level statistics is presented and the crucial gaps in data collection by the state authorities are demonstrated. Several internal inconsistencies are found in such records, pointing towards a crying need on the state’s part for recording extrajudicial deaths in a coordinated and consistent manner. Presenting a qualitative analysis of voluminous case records of investigations into extrajudicial deaths, the quality of investigations in such cases is assessed, which shows glaring non-compliances with the existing legal framework, and the inadequacy of such a framework to ensure accountability.