Police Attitudes Survey: Lokniti-CSDS and Common Cause 2025
Why in the news
A 2025 survey probed police views on fear, mob justice, encounters and arrest rules, exposing a culture of force despite legal safeguards.
Key facts
- Fear: 20% rated it very important, 35% somewhat.
- Arrests: 80% said a female officer is always present for a woman’s arrest; 72% always give reasons and complete the inspection memo; only 75% follow all procedures and 10% rarely or never do.
- 24-hour rule: only 56% found it always feasible to present arrestees before a magistrate; 57% called medical examination always practical.
Mob violence justified
| Offence | Strongly justified |
|---|---|
| Sexual harassment or assault | 27% |
| Child kidnapping | 25% |
| Cow slaughter | 16% (22% partially) |
| Pickpocketing or chain-snatching | 16% |
For cow slaughter, endorsement was 51% in Gujarat, 32% in Odisha and 31% in Rajasthan.
Concerns
An institutional mindset tolerating violence and vigilantism, and uneven enforcement of safeguards.
Exam angle
- Survey sample: 8,276; bodies: Lokniti-CSDS and Common Cause.