The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over non-functional CCTV cameras in police stations and ordered all states to file their responses within 3 weeks. The Court warned that failure to comply with the deadline would require the Chief Secretaries of the concerned states to appear before the court.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to all states and Union Territories regarding non-functional CCTV cameras in police stations. The court expressed displeasure over the state governments' failure to submit timely responses in this matter and granted everyone 3 weeks. If responses are not filed within this period, the Chief Secretaries of the concerned states will be required to appear personally before the Court at the next hearing.
During the hearing of the case, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta at the Supreme Court stated that the proper functioning of CCTV cameras installed in police stations is extremely crucial for judicial oversight and citizen safety. The court clarified that if states fail to fulfill their responsibility, officials will have to answer for it personally.
Direction to File Affidavits in 3 Weeks
The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories to submit their responses within 3 weeks. If no affidavit is filed within this period, the Chief Secretaries of the concerned state agencies will have to appear before the Court with their applications at the next hearing on December 16.
According to Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, only 11 states have filed their replies to the Supreme Court's questions so far. Meanwhile, the central government has also not filed its affidavits concerning central investigative agencies like the NIA. The court has granted the Centre 3 weeks as well in this matter.
Attorney General Tushar Mehta, appearing before the Court, stated that the central government is currently preparing its response and will file the affidavit within the stipulated timeframe.
Case: Neglect of CCTVs in Police Stations
This case, in fact, originated when the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of custodial deaths on September 4. In the past 7-8 months, 11 people have died in police custody. Following these incidents, the Supreme Court had issued an order for the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations.
In December 2020, the Court had ordered that CCTV cameras be installed in all police stations and their records be preserved at all times. Despite this, cameras in several states are non-functional or their records have not been maintained. Consequently, the court has reprimanded and directed to file affidavits promptly.
The Supreme Court also stated that the non-functioning of CCTV cameras poses a serious challenge to citizens' rights and safety. The court clarified that it is the responsibility of the state governments to technically and administratively ensure that the cameras remain fully operational.
Court's Perspective
The Supreme Court stated that the functioning of CCTV cameras in police stations is not merely an administrative order but an integral part of protecting citizens' rights. The court added that if states neglect this responsibility, high-ranking officials will have to answer for it personally.
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while reprimanding, stated that state governments should show seriousness in this matter and ensure that CCTV cameras in every police station are functioning correctly. The court warned that if affidavits are not filed by the next hearing, the Chief Secretaries of the states will have to appear before the court.
