Supreme Court Flags Non-Functional CCTVs in Police Stations

Speedy Summary

• The Supreme Court of India reopened the issue of CCTV installation in police stations and central law enforcement offices following reports of custodial deaths.
• A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta took suo motu cognisance after a Dainik Bhaskar report claimed 11 custodial deaths occurred over the past seven to eight months.
• In 2020, a landmark judgment (Paramvir Singh saini v.Baljit Singh) mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in facilities where interrogation or holding of accused persons takes place, including police stations and offices like NIA, CBI, ED, etc.
• The aim was to deter custodial torture and safeguard basic rights such as dignity and life.
• Oversight committees at state and district levels were mandated to monitor CCTV installations’ functionality, budgetary needs, maintenance, and repairs.
• Large informative posters about CCTV coverage were required to create public awareness about legal remedies for human rights violations.
• Footage from these cameras must be preserved for at least six months with provisions ensuring access for victims alleging human rights abuses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Supreme Court’s action emphasizes its repeated concern over recurring violations within law enforcement environments despite earlier directives issued to prevent such incidents. The reported loss of 11 lives underscores serious gaps in compliance that could erode trust between citizens and enforcement agencies. The implementation failures reflect either insufficient infrastructure allocation or lackadaisical oversight by authorities tasked with monitoring progress.

CCTV surveillance had been envisioned not only as a technological tool but also as an accountability measure ensuring that actions within police precincts align with constitutional principles protecting personal dignity. Regular reviews by oversight committees-if effectively operationalized-could bridge the gap between orders on paper and tangible results on the ground.

India’s judiciary leveraging its constitutional powers indicates proactive intervention amid governance challenges surrounding custodial integrity. Ensuring timely action could have significant ramifications for safeguards against misuse of authority while reinforcing public faith in justice systems.

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