India, April 27 -- The Mumbai police have decided to issue maroon T-shirts and shorts to male suspects lodged in central lockups. "It's an ingenious idea," said a police commissioner from another state in northern India, known for its instant justice.

"Ingenious?" I asked. "How?"

He looked at me the way a surgeon looks at a man recommending turmeric for a heart operation. "My dear fellow," he said, "you are seeing cloth. We are seeing strategy."

I leaned forward.

"Suppose," he said softly, "a suspect receives persuasive treatment."

"You mean a bashing up?"

He winced. "No, no, use proper terminology. Vigorous interviewing." Then he leaned in and whispered, "And maroon helps."

"How?" I asked.

He smiled. "Blood doesn't show."

I near...