Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
3. Critically examine the role technology can play in preventing custodial violence and deaths in India. What other measures are needed to put an end to this spate of custodial violence? (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
India has a grim record in police brutality and custodial violence. Between 2001 and 2018, 1,727 persons died in police custody, but only 26 policemen were convicted for such deaths.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of technology in preventing custodial violence and additional measures needed along with it.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving statistic relating to custodial violence in India.
Body:
First, in brief, mention the various causes of custodial violence in India.
Next, write about the ways in which use of technology can prevent custodial deaths in the country. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write the limitations of technology in preventing custodial violence and other measures that are needed to overcome those limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to overcome the limitations.
