Times of India: Kochi: Tuesday, 19Th August
2025.
State police department
denied details of custodial deaths over the last five years in response to an
RTI query, stating that state crime records bureau (SCRB) was exempt from RTI
Act.
The department denied the data, stating that SCRB was exempt from providing information as per Section 24 (4) of RTI Act in matters other than those related to human rights violations and corruption. "Since the information sought doesn't fall under the categories of human rights violations and corruption, we are unable to provide the information sought in compliance with govt orders," said the reply from state public information officer of police department.
The RTI query filed by activist Dhanaraj S sought district and police station-wise numbers of custodial deaths reported in Kerala from Jan 1, 2020, to July 31, 2025. He also sought details of custodial death cases forwarded to NHRC during the same period.
Dhanaraj said that denial of information on the mentioned grounds was incorrect and contrary to law. "Custodial deaths are per se human rights violations under Article 21, so Section 24 provision applies and disclosure must follow state information commission approval within 45 days," he said.
He said he would file the first appeal under Section 19(1) of RTI Act.
The department denied the data, stating that SCRB was exempt from providing information as per Section 24 (4) of RTI Act in matters other than those related to human rights violations and corruption. "Since the information sought doesn't fall under the categories of human rights violations and corruption, we are unable to provide the information sought in compliance with govt orders," said the reply from state public information officer of police department.
The RTI query filed by activist Dhanaraj S sought district and police station-wise numbers of custodial deaths reported in Kerala from Jan 1, 2020, to July 31, 2025. He also sought details of custodial death cases forwarded to NHRC during the same period.
Dhanaraj said that denial of information on the mentioned grounds was incorrect and contrary to law. "Custodial deaths are per se human rights violations under Article 21, so Section 24 provision applies and disclosure must follow state information commission approval within 45 days," he said.
He said he would file the first appeal under Section 19(1) of RTI Act.
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