Shocking! 18% of Indian cops say Muslims 'naturally prone' to crime

New Delhi: A shocking report found that 18 per cent of India's police personnel believe that Muslims are "naturally prone" to crimes. The report by the Lokniti-CSDS and Common Cause found out that one in four police personnel in India support the idea of mobs acting as judge, jury and executioner in matters they consider grave. Also, 22 per cent of police personnel believe that killing ‘dangerous criminals’ is better than giving them a legal trial, News Laundry reported.

The report, launched at the India International Centre on Tuesday, was based on a survey of 8,276 senior and junior police officers across 82 locations in 17 states and Union territories. The survey also interviewed doctors, lawyers, and judges whose jobs involve interacting with the police and people in custody.

According to News Laundry, the report, unveiled by a panel of experts, including former Odisha High Court Chief Justice S Muralidhar, lawyer and activist Vrinda Grover, public health expert Dr Amar Jaisani, and retired IPS officer Prakash Singh, reflects a grim picture of policing in India. It shows police personnel’s widespread justification of torture and poor adherence to arrest protocols.

The report’s one of the most alarming revelations is that 30 per cent of police personnel were subjected to the use of third-degree methods of torture, while 9 per cent approve of the use even for petty crimes. Cops, including IPS officers, who handle interrogations were the most likely to condone torture, the report reveals.

Further, 11 per cent of the subjected cops believe it is acceptable to hit or slap an accused’s family members, and 30 per cent say it is sometimes justified. Twenty-five per cent supported slapping “uncooperative” witnesses, and 9 per cent endorsed using third-degree methods against them.