"Custodial torture and other police atrocities continue to occur, and even the privileged are not spared third-degree treatment," said Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said on August 9, urging a nationwide effort to 'sensitise police officers'.
At a function on Sunday, Chief Justice of India Justice N V Ramana stated that the threat to human rights and bodily integrity is "highest in police stations." He described human rights and dignity as "sacrosanct," adding that "custodial torture and other police crimes are problems that still exist in our society."
He was addressing the crowd at the launch of a legal service mobile application that will assist poor and needy persons in obtaining legal advice and seeking victim compensation.
"Despite constitutional declarations and guarantees, the absence of adequate legal representation in police stations is a major disadvantage to those who have been arrested or imprisoned. Decisions made in the early hours will subsequently impact the accused's ability to defend himself," said Chief Justice during his speech at a NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) event at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan.
The CJI, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, stated that in order to keep police abuses under check, knowledge about the constitutional right to legal assistance and the provision of free legal aid services must be widely disseminated.
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Installing display boards and outdoor hoardings at each police station/prison is a step in the right direction, he said at the launch of a legal services app, adding that NALSA must also aggressively conduct nationwide sensitization of police officials.
Chief Justice Ramana stated that India has a long history of pro bono legal services to the accused, which began on behalf of independence fighters during the British period.
"If we are to remain a society governed by the rule of law, we must bridge the access to justice gap between the most affluent and the most disadvantaged. For the foreseeable future, we must remember that the realities of socioeconomic diversity that exist in our country cannot ever be used to justify denial of rights," he added.