Supreme Court's Stern Stance: A Glaring Failure in Police Station Surveillance

In a significant development underscoring its commitment to justice and transparency, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming non-compliance with its 2020 mandate for installing functional CCTV cameras in police stations nationwide. The court expressed profound dismay over reports indicating a widespread failure, with many surveillance systems either being non-functional, lacking recordings for over a year, or not installed at all.

This crucial intervention by a bench of Justices B.R.

Gavai and Sandeep Mehta came after startling revelations by Amicus Curiae, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, who highlighted the critical lapse. The court has now issued notices to the Registrars General of all High Courts, demanding urgent action and detailed compliance reports.

The original directive, issued on December 2, 2020, was unambiguous.

It mandated the installation of CCTV cameras equipped with night vision and audio recording capabilities in all police stations across the country, including the offices of central investigating agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

A pivotal aspect of this order was the requirement to preserve the footage for a minimum period of 18 months.

The rationale behind this far-reaching judgment was clear: to foster transparency, curb human rights abuses, and prevent custodial torture, thereby protecting citizens from potential misconduct.

The Supreme Court's vigilance was further piqued by a particularly distressing case involving the death of a man in police custody in Rajasthan, which brought the non-functional CCTVs into sharp focus.

The financial burden for these installations was partially addressed through the Nirbhaya Fund allocated by the Centre, with states also bearing a significant responsibility.

Despite these provisions and the clear directive, the ground reality depicted a stark picture of negligence and disregard for judicial orders.

The apex court has now unequivocally demanded accountability. The Registrars General of the High Courts are tasked with submitting comprehensive reports outlining the current status of CCTV installations and functionality within their respective jurisdictions.

This move signals the Supreme Court's unwavering resolve to ensure that its orders are not merely pronouncements but are effectively implemented to safeguard the rights and dignity of every individual interacting with law enforcement agencies.