New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that 19 CRPF personnel died by suicide between January and May 22, 2026, raising concerns over the mental well-being and working conditions of personnel in the country’s largest Central Armed Police Force.
According to official CRPF data cited in the report, 59 personnel died by suicide in 2025, the highest annual figure recorded by the force in the past five years.
The NHRC said that, if the reported figures are accurate, the matter raises serious concerns regarding the right to life of CRPF personnel. It has issued notices to the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the CRPF Director General, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
A media report published on August 11 stated that 281 CRPF personnel died by suicide over the past five years, with around 216 reportedly being on duty.
The yearly figures were 57 suicides in 2021, 43 in 2022, 57 in 2023, 46 in 2024 and 59 in 2025.
The Commission has sought details from the authorities on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and measures being taken to address the issue.
