The police force, meant to protect and serve all citizens equally, frequently exhibits bias, as financial status often dictates treatment within society. While the rich are revered, the poor are left to rot, receiving little to no justice for the crimes committed against them.
According to a study by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and Common Cause, nearly 50% of Indians believe that police are more responsive to people of higher socioeconomic status, while 32% feel that those from lower-income backgrounds are often ignored by law enforcement.
Furthermore, the report reveals that nearly 3 in 4 people feel that those with political connections or wealth are treated more favorably by the police. Moreover, instances of police inaction or brutality against the poor are also disproportionately high.
The National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT) reports that 71% of cases involving custodial torture in India involved individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of these individuals lack access to legal recourse and are often coerced into silence due to their limited resources.
The disparity is further exacerbated in rural areas, where lower-income communities, particularly women, face significant barriers to justice. A report by the Human Rights Watch found that in cases of sexual violence, women from lower-income or marginalized backgrounds often experience police reluctance to register complaints. Many are subjected to humiliation and are often accused of fabricating allegations, with less than 40% of cases being registered.
The bias against financially unstable individuals has caused a severe impact. The poor, lacking faith in police protection, often resort to informal methods to resolve disputes, which increases criminalization within impoverished communities.
Furthermore, this bias contributes to a breakdown of trust between the public and law enforcement. When people feel alienated from the justice system, they become vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, manipulation, and violence.