70% of Indian Police Favour Unchecked Force, Survey Reveals
A new survey has found that over 70% of police personnel in India believe they should be allowed to use force without fear of punishment. The finding raises questions about the gap between legal standards and police attitudes, particularly after recent protests where force was used.
The survey, part of the Status of Policing in India Report 2025, was conducted by Common Cause and the Lokniti programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). It covered 6,000 police personnel across 17 states and union territories.
Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), force may only be used to disperse an unlawful assembly after an order to disperse is disobeyed. The Police Code of Conduct emphasises persuasion and minimum force. However, 69% of respondents also said police should be allowed to arrest and detain suspects without court investigation.
More than half (55%) considered it important for police to use tough methods to create fear among the public. About two-thirds said public pressure influences police to handle suspects with a heavy hand.
Preventive arrests are favoured by 84% of personnel, with 48% saying more such arrests of anti-social elements would be very useful in reducing crime.
The survey also found that only 41% of police said statutory arrest procedures are always followed. These include informing the accused of grounds of arrest, notifying family, and allowing access to a lawyer. Only 32% believed an arrested person should be allowed to meet a lawyer immediately; 17% said only after production before a magistrate.
Just 14% believed an accused should always be allowed to speak privately with a lawyer in custody.
While the survey does not reflect behaviour in specific incidents, it highlights institutional attitudes that may conflict with constitutional safeguards and human rights norms.
