BS EDIT: Why India’s police forces need legal training

By Business StandardPublished On Mar 31, 2025

A frontline failure

Police are the public’s first contact with the law—but many lack proper training or accountability

Worrying attitudes

71 per cent of police surveyed support using torture. Mob justice and encounters find silent support

Legacy of control

India’s police still follow colonial-era models built for authority, not democracy

Legal gaps persist

India hasn’t ratified the UN Convention Against Torture. Court rulings exist but lack consistent enforcement

Data shows deep rot

1,723 custodial deaths in 2019. Just 33 per cent of Indians trust the police

Reform is urgent

Systemic legal training and accountability are key to a just and democratic police force