19 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express

4 min

Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

Delhi Police Commissioner Issues Guidelines for Lock-Up Treatment of Detainees

Delhi Police Commissioner issues new guidelines for detainee treatment in lock-ups.

Photo by shalender kumar

The Delhi Police Commissioner has issued new guidelines regarding the treatment of detainees in police lock-ups, following a High Court hearing on the matter. The guidelines cover various aspects of detainee management, including food, medical care, and legal access.

The move aims to ensure the humane treatment of individuals in custody and uphold their rights as per the law. The guidelines also address concerns raised about the quality of food provided to detainees and aim to improve overall conditions in lock-ups.

Key Facts

The Delhi Police Commissioner issued new guidelines for treating detainees.

The guidelines cover food, medical care, and legal access for detainees.

The move follows a High Court hearing on the matter.

The guidelines aim to ensure humane treatment of individuals in custody.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Fundamental Rights, Role of NHRC, Police Reforms

Connects to syllabus areas of Fundamental Rights (Article 21), Human Rights, and Institutional Mechanisms for their protection

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs on Article 21 and NHRC, Analytical questions on police reforms

In Simple Words

Imagine if someone is arrested. These new rules from the Delhi Police say they must be treated with basic human respect. This includes things like getting decent food, medical help if needed, and access to a lawyer.

India Angle

In India, this means that even if someone is accused of a crime, they can't be treated like animals in jail. They still have rights as human beings, like getting proper food and medical attention, which affects everyone from daily wage earners to business owners if they ever face arrest.

For Instance

Think about if your neighbor was arrested for a minor offense. These rules ensure they can't be denied basic necessities like water or a doctor if they're sick while in lock-up.

It matters because it ensures that everyone, regardless of their situation, is treated with dignity and fairness under the law. It protects us all from potential abuse of power.

Even in jail, everyone deserves basic human respect.

Visual Insights

Key Aspects of Delhi Police Commissioner's Guidelines

Highlights the focus areas of the new guidelines issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner for the treatment of detainees.

Focus on Humane Treatment: Ensuring humane treatment
Improved Food Quality: Improving food quality
Access to Medical Care: Ensuring medical care
Legal Access: Ensuring legal access

More Information

Background

The recent guidelines issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner regarding the treatment of detainees in police lock-ups are rooted in the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Specifically, Article 21, which protects the right to life and personal liberty, mandates that all individuals, including those in custody, be treated with dignity and fairness. These rights are non-negotiable and form the bedrock of a just and humane criminal justice system. Concerns about the conditions in police lock-ups and the treatment of detainees have been raised periodically by human rights organizations and the judiciary. These concerns often revolve around issues such as inadequate food, lack of medical care, and restricted access to legal representation. The issuance of these guidelines can be seen as a proactive step by the Delhi Police to address these concerns and ensure compliance with constitutional and legal mandates. Such measures are crucial for maintaining public trust in the police force and upholding the rule of law. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plays a crucial role in monitoring and safeguarding human rights in India. The NHRC has consistently emphasized the importance of humane treatment of detainees and has issued guidelines and recommendations to law enforcement agencies in this regard. The Delhi Police's new guidelines align with the NHRC's recommendations and reflect a commitment to upholding human rights standards in custodial settings.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of custodial deaths and human rights violations in police custody. The Supreme Court of India has issued several directives to ensure transparency and accountability in police investigations and custodial management. These directives include mandatory video recording of interrogation sessions and installation of CCTV cameras in police stations. The Model Police Act, drafted by the Soli Sorabjee Committee, provides a framework for police reforms and emphasizes the need for humane treatment of detainees. While the Model Police Act is not binding on states, it serves as a guiding document for police reforms and promotes best practices in policing. Several states have enacted police acts based on the Model Police Act, incorporating provisions for safeguarding the rights of detainees. Looking ahead, there is a growing emphasis on police training and sensitization programs to promote a culture of respect for human rights within the police force. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) plays a key role in developing training modules and conducting research on police reforms. These efforts aim to transform the police force into a more citizen-friendly and accountable institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key aspects of the new guidelines issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner regarding the treatment of detainees, relevant for UPSC Prelims?

The key aspects of the new guidelines for Prelims include provisions for food, medical care, and legal access for detainees. The guidelines aim to ensure humane treatment and uphold the rights of individuals in custody as per the law.

Exam Tip

Focus on the rights being protected and the categories of care being addressed.

2. What is the constitutional basis for the Delhi Police Commissioner issuing guidelines for detainee treatment?

The constitutional basis stems from Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. This implies that even individuals in custody are entitled to be treated with dignity and fairness. The Supreme Court has also issued directives to ensure transparency and accountability in police investigations and custodial management.

Exam Tip

Remember Article 21 and its implications for custodial justice.

3. Why is the Delhi Police Commissioner's initiative to issue detainee treatment guidelines important?

This initiative is important because it addresses concerns about human rights violations and custodial deaths. It aims to ensure that individuals in custody are treated humanely, with access to basic necessities like food, medical care, and legal representation. This aligns with the principles of a fair and just legal system.

Exam Tip

Relate this to broader themes of human rights and justice.

4. What are the recent developments that led to the Delhi Police Commissioner issuing these guidelines?

The Delhi Police Commissioner issued these guidelines following a High Court hearing on the matter. Increasing scrutiny of custodial deaths and human rights violations in police custody, along with Supreme Court directives, prompted this action.

Exam Tip

Note the role of judicial oversight in prompting these guidelines.

5. What reforms are needed to further improve the treatment of detainees in police lock-ups, beyond these guidelines?

Further reforms could include mandatory video recording of interrogation sessions, regular inspections of lock-ups by independent bodies, and enhanced training for police personnel on human rights and ethical conduct. Addressing systemic issues within the police force is crucial for long-term improvement.

Exam Tip

Consider practical and systemic changes for a comprehensive answer.

6. How do these guidelines impact common citizens, especially those who might be detained by the police?

These guidelines aim to ensure that even if a citizen is detained, they will be treated with respect and dignity, with access to basic necessities and legal aid. This helps safeguard their fundamental rights and prevents potential abuse of power by the police.

Exam Tip

Focus on the protection of rights and prevention of abuse.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Article 21 of the Constitution of India: 1. It guarantees the right to life and personal liberty to all citizens. 2. It has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to live with dignity. 3. The State is permitted to deprive a person of his life or personal liberty according to procedure established by law. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

All three statements are correct. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Supreme Court has expanded its scope to include the right to live with dignity. The article also states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This means that the State can deprive a person of these rights, but only if there is a law that allows it and the correct procedure is followed.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)?

A.It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
B.The Chairperson must be a retired Chief Justice of India.
C.It can directly take cognizance of human rights violations by private individuals.
D.It submits its annual reports to the Central Government and the State Governments.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Option C is NOT correct. The NHRC primarily deals with human rights violations by state actors. While it can inquire into complaints against private individuals, its focus is on the responsibility of the state in preventing and addressing such violations. Options A, B, and D are correct statements regarding the NHRC's composition, mandate, and functions.

3. In the context of police reforms in India, consider the following committees: 1. Ribeiro Committee 2. Padmanabhaiah Committee 3. Soli Sorabjee Committee Which of the committees mentioned above are related to police reforms?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

All the committees mentioned are related to police reforms. The Ribeiro Committee, the Padmanabhaiah Committee, and the Soli Sorabjee Committee have all made recommendations on various aspects of police reforms in India, including issues related to police accountability, training, and infrastructure.

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