Supreme Court Takes Action on Non-Functional CCTVs in Police Stations
The Supreme Court has registered a suo motu case regarding the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across India. The action follows a media report on 11 custodial deaths in Rajasthan where police often failed to provide footage, citing technical faults or other reasons. The court had previously mandated the installation of cameras in every police station to curb custodial torture and ensure transparency. This new case addresses the widespread non-compliance with its earlier directives on police accountability.
Unpacked:
The Supreme Court first mandated CCTV installation in police stations in 2020, requiring cameras with night vision and audio at all critical points, including lock-ups and interrogation rooms. The footage must be preserved for at least 18 months and made accessible for investigations into custodial torture or deaths.
Police have cited technical faults, lack of storage, ongoing investigations, legal restrictions, or simply refused or delayed sharing footage as reasons for not providing CCTV evidence in custodial death cases.
Non-compliance is widespread, with many police stations lacking functional cameras or failing to preserve footage. Despite repeated Supreme Court orders, including a 2023 ultimatum to complete installation within three months, gaps remain nationwide, hindering accountability in custodial cases.
Oversight mechanisms include central and state-level oversight committees tasked with reviewing footage for human rights violations. The Supreme Court also made each station’s SHO responsible for maintaining, backing up, and fixing CCTV systems, aiming to ensure proper functioning and data preservation.