Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandating uniform investigation procedures in cases of custodial violence and custodial deaths across the State.

The Standing Order, issued on Saturday (May 16), follows concerns over lapses in investigations by local police officers, including delayed FIRs, improper mahazars, and failure to collect crucial physical and digital evidence. The order noted that by the time the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) takes over such cases, as is the norm, vital evidence often deteriorates, hampering fair investigation and judicial process.

Under the SOP, police stations have been directed to immediately register FIRs in all custodial violence or death cases under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, either on complaints by victims, relatives, any person, or suo motu. The guidelines mandate that officers of and above the rank of Deputy Superintendent should conduct impartial investigations until the CID assumes charge.

In custodial violence cases, investigating officers have been instructed to conduct immediate spot mahazars, seize CCTV footage, collect physical evidence under audio-video recording, record victim statements under BNSS provisions, and obtain medical examination reports.

For custodial death cases, the SOP makes magisterial inquiry compulsory and directs that inquest and autopsy procedures be videographed. The police have also been instructed to involve forensic experts, preserve biological and digital evidence, and send samples to the Forensic Science Laboratory within two days.

The SOP further directs CID officers to re-examine witnesses, collect documentary and digital evidence, obtain medical and magisterial reports, and seek prosecution sanction under Section 218 of BNSS and Section 170 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, before filing chargesheets against accused police personnel.

Mr. Saleem instructed all Commissioners of Police, range Inspector Generals/Deputy Inspector Generals and Superintendents of Police to strictly follow the SOP along with directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court to ensure impartial and objective investigations.