The number of custodial deaths in the country dropped last year from 2288 in 2007-08 to 1677 till February this year. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of 329, followed by 208 Maharashtra and 110 in Andhra Pradesh.<br/><br/>In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Ajay Maken said the Centre has been advising the state governments from time to time to ensure that measures are taken to check the incidents of custodial deaths.<br/>