Jharkhand High Court Seeks Details On Judicial Inquiries In 437 Custodial Deaths; Says Magistrate Probe Mandatory U/S 176(1-A) CrPC

Key Points:

• The Jharkhand High Court has mandated that a judicial inquiry must be conducted for each of the 437 custodial deaths reported between 2018 and 2025, as per Section 176(1-A) of the CrPC.
• The court highlighted the lack of clarity regarding whether these mandatory inquiries were performed, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in custodial death cases.
• This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to legal safeguards intended to prevent foul play in custodial deaths, reflecting a broader commitment to human rights protections.

Background: The case arises from a public interest litigation concerning the compliance with judicial inquiry mandates in instances of custodial death, disappearance, or rape. The Jharkhand High Court is reviewing the State's disclosure of 437 custodial deaths and has previously granted opportunities for the State to provide comprehensive details on compliance with Section 176(1-A) of the CrPC.

What's Next: The Home Secretary of Jharkhand is required to file a detailed affidavit by March 13, 2026, with further court consideration scheduled for March 19, 2026.