New Delhi: The Gujarat State Law Commission (SLC) has submitted a report flagging the increasing incidents of custodial deaths in the state as “a matter of grave concern” and made several suggestions for police reforms to the state government.The report also pointed out that not a single case registered against police personnel resulted in conviction in 2021.In the report submitted to the government in July, SLC chairman, Justice (retired) M.B. Shah, suggested reforms to sensitise the police to function within the constitutional framework and to promote transparency by installation of video-audio enabled CCTV cameras at police stations and prisons. The report also recommended taking strict legal action against police personnel who misused their official position, to conduct regular health check-ups of prisoners and to have exclusive interrogation teams specialising in the process of gathering evidence from those detained, the Indian Express reported.The report titled ‘Suggestions to have proper control on the law enforcing agency for prevention of unwanted instances of custodial death’ was submitted to the state legislative and parliamentary affairs department.Also read: Gujarat Saw 80 Custodial Deaths in Last Five Years, Highest Across StatesIn 2020, Gujarat had reported 15 cases of custodial deaths which jumped to 23 in 2021 – a rise of 53% – making it the highest number of such cases in the country for the second consecutive year. In addition to citing this data, the SLC report also contained a chapter on custodial crimes and complaints against police personnel from the ‘NCRB – Crimes in India: 2021’ report.“…statistical data relating to deaths in police custody/lock-up (persons not on remand)… 22 people reportedly died in Gujarat in 2021 during police custody (though not on remand). In nine cases, magisterial inquiries were ordered, while judicial inquiries were ordered in 11 cases. Further, four cases were registered, of which chargesheet (was filed) in two… Moreover, 12 policemen were arrested and nine were chargesheeted,” the report said.It added that as per data relating to deaths in police custody/lock-up among persons in remand, one person reportedly died in Gujarat in 2021 and a magisterial inquiry was ordered.In February, 2023 the Rajya Sabha was informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs that between 2017 and 2022, Gujarat reported 80 cases of custodial deaths – the highest across the country.