Published Paper Details:

Police accountability plays a pivotal role in ensuring that criminal law is enforced fairly, transparently, and in accordance with constitutional guarantees. This study examines how legal safeguards, judicial guidelines, oversight institutions, and internal disciplinary mechanisms regulate police conduct and protect citizens' rights in India. Drawing upon landmark case laws, the research analyses the relationship between accountability and the effective functioning of law enforcement. It also evaluates the impact of police misconduct including custodial violence, illegal detention, fabricated evidence, and excessive force on public trust and justice delivery. A comparative assessment of policing systems in the different countries highlights best practices that can contribute to strengthening Indian accountability frameworks, such as independent oversight bodies, transparent arrest procedures, and rights-based custodial safeguards. The study identifies persistent challenges such as political interference, weak implementation of reforms, inadequate training, and resource constraints. It concludes by proposing structural, legal, and technological reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, protecting human rights, and improving the credibility of the criminal justice system.