UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Systemic reckoning

Q1. In the Sattankulam (Jayaraj–Bennix) custodial death case, how many police personnel were finally convicted by the Madurai court in 2026?

  • A. Seven
  • B. Nine
  • C. Ten
  • D. Twelve

Q2. With reference to the investigation and trial in the Sattankulam custodial death case, consider the following statements: 1. The case was initially handled by the Tamil Nadu police before being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. 2. Of the ten police personnel originally arrested, one died before the conclusion of the trial due to COVID-19, while the remaining nine were convicted. 3. The CBI filed its chargesheet and the trial was conducted in a court at Chennai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The case was initially handled by the Tamil Nadu police before being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
  2. Of the ten police personnel originally arrested, one died before the conclusion of the trial due to COVID-19, while the remaining nine were convicted.
  3. The CBI filed its chargesheet and the trial was conducted in a court at Chennai.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In the context of custodial jurisprudence, the judgment in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal is best described as the ruling that:

  • A. laid down binding procedural safeguards to be followed at the time of arrest and detention
  • B. first recognised the right to free legal aid as an inseparable part of Article 21
  • C. held that the death penalty is constitutional only in the 'rarest of rare' cases
  • D. directed every State to constitute a State Security Commission to insulate the police

Q4. With reference to India and the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), consider the following statements: 1. India signed the UN Convention Against Torture in 1997. 2. India has ratified the UN Convention Against Torture. 3. The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 was passed by the Lok Sabha. 4. The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 was intended to enable India to ratify UNCAT. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India signed the UN Convention Against Torture in 1997.
  2. India has ratified the UN Convention Against Torture.
  3. The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 was passed by the Lok Sabha.
  4. The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 was intended to enable India to ratify UNCAT.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q5. Consider the following pairs relating to India's anti-torture legislative record: 1. Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 — introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2010. 2. UN Convention Against Torture — signed by India in 1997. 3. Law Commission of India — submitted a draft Prevention of Torture Bill in 2017. 4. Prevention of Torture Act — enacted and in force in India since 2010. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 — introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2010.
  2. UN Convention Against Torture — signed by India in 1997.
  3. Law Commission of India — submitted a draft Prevention of Torture Bill in 2017.
  4. Prevention of Torture Act — enacted and in force in India since 2010.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. With reference to the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), consider the following statements: 1. The CBI derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. 2. The CBI can investigate an offence within a State only after obtaining that State's consent, in every case without any exception. 3. A High Court, under Article 226, can direct a CBI investigation without the concerned State's consent. 4. The Supreme Court, under Article 32, can order a CBI investigation without a State's consent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CBI derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
  2. The CBI can investigate an offence within a State only after obtaining that State's consent, in every case without any exception.
  3. A High Court, under Article 226, can direct a CBI investigation without the concerned State's consent.
  4. The Supreme Court, under Article 32, can order a CBI investigation without a State's consent.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the CBI as compared to a State police force, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike a State police force, whose jurisdiction is confined to the State, the CBI needs the State's consent to investigate within that State's territory. 2. The CBI was constituted by a specific Act of Parliament titled the Central Bureau of Investigation Act. 3. Consent given by a State to the CBI under the DSPE Act may be either general or case-specific. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike a State police force, whose jurisdiction is confined to the State, the CBI needs the State's consent to investigate within that State's territory.
  2. The CBI was constituted by a specific Act of Parliament titled the Central Bureau of Investigation Act.
  3. Consent given by a State to the CBI under the DSPE Act may be either general or case-specific.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. As per the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (as amended in 2019), the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission must be a person who has been:

  • A. the Chief Justice of India only
  • B. the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court
  • C. a Judge of a High Court
  • D. the Attorney General of India

Q9. With reference to the NHRC's role in custodial deaths, consider the following statements: 1. Custodial deaths must be reported to the NHRC within 24 hours of their occurrence. 2. The NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. 3. In custodial death cases the NHRC can recommend action but cannot itself punish the guilty. 4. Deaths occurring in the course of police action, such as encounters, must be reported to the NHRC within 6 hours. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Custodial deaths must be reported to the NHRC within 24 hours of their occurrence.
  2. The NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
  3. In custodial death cases the NHRC can recommend action but cannot itself punish the guilty.
  4. Deaths occurring in the course of police action, such as encounters, must be reported to the NHRC within 6 hours.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the institutions mandated by the Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) directives, consider the following statements: 1. State Security Commission — to lay down policy and insulate the police from undue external pressure. 2. Police Establishment Board — to decide transfers, postings and promotions of officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. 3. Police Complaints Authority — recommended only at the national level and not at the State or district level. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. State Security Commission — to lay down policy and insulate the police from undue external pressure.
  2. Police Establishment Board — to decide transfers, postings and promotions of officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
  3. Police Complaints Authority — recommended only at the national level and not at the State or district level.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the 'rarest of rare' doctrine invoked in cases such as the Sattankulam verdict, consider the following statements: 1. The doctrine was laid down in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980). 2. Under the doctrine, a death sentence may be imposed even where a real possibility of the convict's reformation exists. 3. Courts must weigh both aggravating and mitigating circumstances relating to the crime and the criminal. 4. The Sattankulam trial court categorised the case as falling within the 'rarest of rare' category. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The doctrine was laid down in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980).
  2. Under the doctrine, a death sentence may be imposed even where a real possibility of the convict's reformation exists.
  3. Courts must weigh both aggravating and mitigating circumstances relating to the crime and the criminal.
  4. The Sattankulam trial court categorised the case as falling within the 'rarest of rare' category.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only