ANALYSIS ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL BIAS IN INDIA

AUTHORS – SIVASANKARI N* & MS.T.VAISHALI**

* V YEAR BCA LLB (HONS), THE TAMIL NADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION) THE TAMIL NADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – SIVASANKARI N & MS.T.VAISHALI, ANALYSIS ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL BIAS IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (1) OF 2026, PG. 536-546, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

This research paper investigates the complex and deeply rooted phenomena of police brutality and racialism in India, with a particular focus on how they manifest against marginalized communities. Although India is constitutionally committed to equality, liberty, and justice for all citizens, law enforcement practices often reflect a contradictory reality—one where power is disproportionately exercised against Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and other minority and lower-caste groups. Incidents of custodial deaths, arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force, and communal profiling suggest a pattern of systemic abuse that transcends individual misconduct and reflects institutional bias.  These practices persist today, reinforced by weak oversight mechanisms, politicization of law enforcement, and societal apathy toward the rights of marginalized populations. The problem is further aggravated by inadequate legal accountability, outdated laws, and the near absence of independent civilian review systems. This paper aims to bridge the gap between constitutional ideals and policing realities through a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates doctrinal and empirical legal analysis, sociological frameworks, psychological perspectives, and comparative international insights. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the discourse on democratic policing by emphasizing the urgent need for reforms that align law enforcement with the constitutional promise of justice, equality, and dignity for all citizens

KEYWORDS Police brutality, racialism, custodial violence, caste discrimination, minority rights, law enforcement in India, systemic injustice, human rights violations, legal accountability, democratic policing