Uttar Pradesh has witnessed the highest number of alleged police atrocities and human rights violations with 21,899 cases registered in 2006-07 as against 31,096 countrywide, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the government has amended the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Code giving investigating powers in custodial deaths to judicial magistrates.

Earlier the police used to investigate custodial deaths, he said.

Asked whether National Human Rights Commission has taken action against the culprits, Patil said the maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the state governments.

"However, the government of India and the NHRC have been sensitising state police forces through regular training programmes," he said.

According to the data given by Patil, Delhi occupied second place after Uttar Pradesh with 2192 cases.

Bihar comes at number four after Haryana.

The NHRC has also been issuing directions from time to time to the state governments on reporting of custodial deaths or custodial rapes within 24 hours to the commission.