In a crucial development for judicial oversight and human rights, the Supreme Court of India announced that it will deliver its order on September 26 regarding the ongoing suo motu case concerning the absence of operational CCTV cameras in police stations nationwide.
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta emphasized that the core of this matter is “oversight,” highlighting the critical need for effective monitoring mechanisms.
The apex court initiated this suo motu (on its own motion) proceeding on September 4, prompted by a disturbing media report detailing eleven deaths in police custody within Rajasthan over the preceding eight months. Notably, seven of these tragic incidents occurred in the Udaipur division alone.
This isn’t the first time the Supreme Court has intervened on this issue. As far back as 2018, the court had mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations to act as a deterrent against human rights abuses and ensure transparency.
Furthermore, in December 2020, the highest judicial body expanded its directive, instructing the central government to install CCTV cameras and comprehensive recording equipment across all offices of investigating agencies, including prominent bodies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The court’s earlier orders were explicit: all states and Union Territories were to guarantee that CCTV cameras are installed at every police station. This extensive coverage was to include all entry and exit points, the main gate, lock-ups, corridors, the lobby, and reception areas, as well as spaces immediately outside the lock-up rooms, ensuring no area remains unmonitored.