Install CCTVs in all police stations: SC issues ultimatum to Centre, states

New Delhi: The Supreme Court gave an ultimatum to the Centre as well as states and Union Territories to install CCTV cameras inside police station premises within three months.

A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Vikram Nath stated that in case of non-compliance, the concerned chief secretary/administrator will have to personally appear in court on the next date of hearing.

“It is disheartening to see that thus far, out of seven investigating agencies, no sincere steps have been taken by four agencies,” the top court noted.

Only two states — Mizoram and Goa — and two Union Territories — Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh — have installed CCTVs in police stations, complying with the top court’s directives, said a report presented by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, the amicus curiae assisting the top court.

In its 2020 judgment, the top court issued directions to the Centre as well as state governments and Union Territories to install CCTVs inside police stations to maintain transparency and curb instances of custodial torture.

Earlier in February, the court warned all the state governments to file their affidavits, stating “otherwise it will be constrained to take serious view of the matter.”