Law enforcement agencies are central to maintaining order and enforcing laws, yet in India, their accountability is undermined by systemic flaws and reliance on colonial-era frameworks like the Indian Police Act of 1861. Issues such as custodial deaths, police brutality, and lack of effective oversight persist, compounded by the resource limitations and non-binding nature of recommendations from bodies like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). These challenges hinder the protection of human rights and erode public trust in law enforcement agencies of India. This article critically analyzes the gaps in India’s police accountability mechanisms, focussing on the NHRC, Police Complaint Authorities (PCAs), and judicial interventions. It evaluates data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and landmark rulings to reveal systemic deficiencies in addressing human rights violations. Despite anti-torture laws and accountability frameworks, weak enforcement, bureaucratic inertia, and inadequate safeguards for vulnerable groups perpetuate these issues. The article proposes a comprehensive reform agenda, emphasizing updates to the Indian Police Act, the creation of independent complaint authorities, and robust legal safeguards for human rights. Recommendations include introducing body cameras for transparency, strengthening the NHRC’s investigative powers, and adopting community-based policing models. It also highlights the importance of mandatory human rights training and structural reforms to decentralize and professionalize the police force.