The NHRC steps in to address the rise in suicides by CRPF personnel 

Subhashis Mittra

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has recorded 59 suicides last year—the highest ever in the last five years. More than 80 per cent of the suicides were witnessed among the lower-rank constabulary. Data for the period between 2021-25 showed that more than 77 per cent of the incidents took place when the personnel were on duty—202 cases out of a total of 262, while the rest occurred when they were on leave. While 59 personnel ended their lives in 2025, the numbers were 46 in 2024, 57 in 2023, 43 in 2022 and 57 in 2021.

The rise in suicides while on leave in 2025 is particularly notable. The 19 cases were almost twice the number recorded in each of the previous three years. Although on-duty suicides remained substantially higher throughout the period, the increase in off-duty deaths in 2025 marks a departure from the earlier pattern.

The reason could be the difficulties the personnel face in balancing their professional and personal lives. Such cases have often been noticed after a jawan resumed duty after leave or after speaking to family members over the phone before committing suicide, or in some cases, fratricide.