Civil Liberties and Delhi. In the Commission's view, it is of fundamental importance that instances of custodial death be promptly and honestly reported to it. TTie Commission therefore seizes every occasion to discuss and follow up on reports on custodial deaths, whether this be through its visits to individual States or in discussions at the Commission's headquarters in New Delhi, when the representatives of the States meet the Commission. While the State Governments have undoubtedly shown more sensitivity to the Commission's instructions that custodial deaths must not only be reported but thoroughly investigated, the Commission recommends that more consistent and determined action be taken in all such instances to bring those responsible to book, as acts of custodial violence leading to such deaths constitute serious violations of human rights, and bring disgrace to the law and order apparatus of our country. ENCOUNTER DEATHS 3.20 In response to the Commission's directives to get all cases of 'encounter deaths' investigated by the State CID, the Government of Andhra Pradesh had suggested an alternative arrangement to the Commission. The DG & IGP, Andhra Pradesh, wrote to the Commission on 22 July 1999, suggesting that the encounter death cases of Andhra Pradesh may be investigated by the officers of the rank of Inspectors of other districts, on the ground that nearly 250 encounters take place each year in Andhra Pradesh and that the State CID would not be able to cope with this additional burden tvith the available staff. The Commission considered this request and directed through its order dated 28 July 1999, that encounter death cases of Andhra Pradesh be investigated by the officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent ofPolice (DSP)/Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of other districts. 3.21 The DGP, Andhra Pradesh, has in compliance with the new directions of the Commission, handed over a total of 325 cases (275 cases of 1998 and 50 cases of 1999) for investigation by DSP/ASP level officers of other districts. The Law Division of the Commission is closely monitoring these cases. VIDEO FILMING OF POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION AND REVISION OF AUTOPSY FORMS 3.22 In addition to its efforts to ensure prompt and accurate reporting of custodial deaths, the Commission has been deeply concerned that there exists a tendency to doctor post-mortem reports under the influence or pressure of police or jail officials. The ■Commission has also noted that post-mortem examinations were not always carried out scrupulously, and that, in a number of cases, inordinate delays occurred in the wnting and collection of post-mortem reports. Keeping in vietv that there was hardly any 23