Chief Justice of India Justice N V Ramana on Sunday expressed concern over custodial torture. Calling human rights and dignity "sacrosanct", Justice Ramana said that the threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the "highest in police stations".
He added that "custodial torture and other police atrocities are problems which still prevail in our society".
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The CJI pointed out that "lack of effective legal representation at the police stations is a huge detriment to arrested/detained persons".
"The decisions taken in these early hours will later determine the ability of the accused to defend himself," he added.
Going by the recent reports, even the privileged are not spared third-degree treatment, the Chief Justice said.
The way ahead to keep police excesses in check was "dissemination of information about the constitutional right to legal aid and availability of free legal aid services", the CJI said.