India Urged to Enact Anti-Torture Law as Custodial Deaths Persist
Coimbatore, June 26: Lawyers and legal experts have called for the enactment of a dedicated law to prohibit torture by law enforcement officials in India, emphasising the need to fulfil the country's commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
The demand was raised during a seminar organised by the Human Rights Cell of the Coimbatore District Bar Association to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Senior advocate Sekar Annadurai, delivering the special address, noted that India lacks a specific law banning torture by law enforcement officials despite being a signatory to the UN Convention. He alleged that torture continues to be used during criminal investigations, resulting in hundreds of custodial deaths.
Annadurai urged the Union government to honour its international commitment by prohibiting torture both in law and in practice.
Other speakers at the event included Special Public Prosecutors Balasubramanian, Rajapriya, Stefina Rose and Jisa, Bar Association president R. Balakrishnan, secretary K. Sudhees, and advocates Madhivanan and V.P. Sarathi.
A booklet containing key legal provisions relating to torture was released and distributed during the programme, which was attended by advocates.
