Mumbai Police have implemented a new policy requiring all individuals in police custody to wear a standardized maroon t-shirt and black shorts. This measure is a direct response to the significant number of custodial deaths, particularly suicides, recorded in Maharashtra.
Between 2020 and 2023, Maharashtra recorded over 54 deaths in police custody or remand, a figure that has prompted the Mumbai Police to seek innovative solutions to enhance detainee safety. The new uniform aims to eliminate the most common instruments used in suicides within lock-ups, namely the detainees’ own clothing. By providing a simple, short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts, the police intend to remove the possibility of individuals using long sleeves or pant legs to self-harm.
The initiative is being rolled out across all general lock-ups in Mumbai. Accused persons will be required to wear this uniform from the moment of their arrest until they are transferred to judicial custody or released on bail. Police sources indicate that this measure is primarily to ensure the safety of detainees, who may be experiencing depression or distress following their arrest. The standardized attire is designed with safety in mind, removing elements like drawstrings that could be misused.
In addition to the new clothing protocol, the Mumbai Police have also enhanced other safety measures in lock-ups. These include continuous monitoring of CCTV footage to detect if an inmate spends an unusually long time in the bathroom and modifications to bathroom doors, such as removing the top and bottom portions. These changes are intended to allow for immediate intervention if an individual is suspected of attempting suicide.
This move is a significant departure from the usual practice where undertrial prisoners are generally allowed to wear their own clothes. The introduction of a mandatory uniform for accused persons in lock-ups is aimed at improving discipline and making it easier to identify individuals in custody. While the initiative is being implemented systematically, it has been noted that not all police stations have yet been equipped with these new uniforms.
Previous incidents have underscored the vulnerability of individuals in custody. For instance, in May 2024, an accused in a high-profile case died by suicide in a Crime Branch lock-up using a bedsheet. Such events highlight the critical need for robust preventive measures within detention facilities.
The Mumbai Police have also been proactive in mental health awareness and suicide prevention through other means. In October 2023, in collaboration with Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, the police launched a Suicide Prevention Toolkit. This toolkit, made accessible at all 93 police stations in Mumbai and in Nirbhaya squad vans, provides information on risk factors, warning signs, and coping strategies for various age groups and genders. Training modules on mental health and communication skills have also been conducted for police personnel, emphasizing their role as first responders in crisis situations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
