Guwahati, November 30, 2025 – The Assam government has reported that 80 individuals accused of crimes have died either in police custody or before being formally remanded since May 10, 2021. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, presented these figures in the Assam Assembly in response to a question from independent legislator Akhil Gogoi.

According to Sarma, 39 of the deaths occurred while the accused were in police custody, while 41 deaths occurred before the accused were formally taken into custody. Furthermore, 183 accused individuals sustained bullet wounds or other injuries while in custody, and an additional 40 accused were injured before being taken into police remand.

The Chief Minister shared that the highest number of deaths occurred in 2021, with 31 reported cases. However, he noted a downward trend in the subsequent years. In 2022, 18 such deaths were reported, followed by 13 in 2023, 10 in 2024, and 8 until November 19, 2025.

Sarma assured the Assembly that procedures were followed in all such incidents. He stated that First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in every case, and all custodial death cases were investigated by Executive Magistrates, adhering to guidelines.

Of the cases involving deaths and injuries, 180 underwent magistrate-level inquiries, including 78 specifically related to custodial death probes. While inquiries are not mandatory in shooting or injury cases, magistrate investigations were carried out in 102 such incidents.