Torture and Accountability: India's Legislative Approach to Preventing Custodial Abuse and Meeting UNCAT Standards

Author(s)	Arona Mumtaz
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract India's commitment to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) has been a subject of considerable discourse. Despite acceding to the convention in 1997, India has yet to ratify it, which necessitates the alignment of domestic law with UNCAT's stipulations. This article examines the evolution of anti-torture legislation in India, focusing on the Prevention of Torture Bills from 2010 to 2023, which reflect India's efforts to address custodial abuse, offer victim compensation, and safeguard human rights. This paper analyzes the key legislative milestones, judicial advocacy, and civil society involvement in advancing anti-torture measures. Furthermore, it compares the various bills, exploring their evolving provisions and the potential challenges in ratifying the UNCAT. The paper concludes by suggesting further steps to align India’s legal framework with international standards and ensure effective enforcement.
Keywords	India, United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), Prevention of Torture Bill, custodial torture, human rights, legislation, victim compensation, judicial advocacy, civil society, ratification ________________________________________
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-25
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67112

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