Mandatory CCTV Installation in All Police Stations — SC Follow-Up Hearing Reasserts Right Against Custodial Torture
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- 21 Apr 2025 --
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In a crucial follow-up hearing aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in police functioning, the Supreme Court of India has pulled up several states and union territories for their failure to comply with its earlier directions to install functional CCTV cameras in all police stations and investigation facilities.
The Court reiterated that every citizen has the constitutional right to be protected against custodial abuse, and surveillance through CCTV is no longer optional—it is essential for upholding dignity, fairness, and due process.
The Legal Background: Supreme Court’s 2020 Directive
In Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh & Others (2020), the Supreme Court had directed:
- All police stations to be equipped with working CCTV cameras covering lock-ups, interrogation rooms, entry/exit points, and corridors
- Recordings to be preserved for a minimum of 18 months
- Establishment of oversight committees at district, state, and national levels to monitor CCTV maintenance and address complaints
- All video recordings to be made available to victims, family members, or courts upon request in custodial abuse cases
This judgment was hailed as a milestone in combating torture and ill-treatment, especially in the absence of a dedicated anti-torture law in India.
The Follow-Up Hearing: SC Finds Gaps, Demands Action
In its April 2025 follow-up hearing, the Supreme Court, led by Justice K.M. Joseph and Justice Hrishikesh Roy, reviewed compliance affidavits submitted by various states.
Key Findings:
- Only 14 out of 36 states/UTs had achieved near-complete CCTV coverage as per the directive.
- Many stations lacked night vision cameras, and audio was non-functional in interrogation rooms.
- Oversight committees were either non-existent or inactive in more than 20 states.
- Data preservation systems in many areas failed to store footage beyond 7–30 days, violating the minimum 18-month retention requirement.
- Some police departments cited budgetary constraints and technical delays, which the Court rejected as invalid excuses.
- All states and UTs must complete installation of:
- HD CCTV cameras with night vision
- Audio recording capability
- 18-month storage capacity on cloud or secured servers
- Non-compliance will attract contempt proceedings.
- Each district must have a monitoring committee comprising:
- Judicial officers
- Public prosecutors
- District magistrates
- Independent citizens (preferably women and lawyers)
- A tech-enabled dashboard must monitor all cameras. Faulty units must be repaired within 7 days, with accountability fixed.
- Any person alleging custodial abuse must be given unhindered access to CCTV footage, subject to data privacy safeguards.
- Courts must summon and review footage proactively in all custodial death or abuse cases.
- All states and UTs must complete installation of:
SC’s Strong Remarks:
“This Court will not allow a culture of impunity to flourish. The presence of cameras is not just for optics—it is a constitutional safeguard.”
What the Supreme Court Ordered in April 2025
- Deadline of Six Months for Full Compliance
- Functioning Oversight Committees Mandated
- Real-Time Fault Reporting and Repairs
- Victim Access and Judicial Review
Why CCTV in Police Stations Is Crucial
a) Deterrence Against Torture
The presence of surveillance reduces chances of:
- Beatings or coercion during interrogation
- Illegal detention or third-degree methods
- Fabrication of evidence or custodial misconduct
b) Protection for Honest Officers
CCTV acts as a shield for officers falsely accused of abuse or corruption, providing objective evidence of their conduct.
c) Improved Public Trust
Recording interactions helps increase transparency and restore faith in law enforcement, especially in sensitive cases like:
- Domestic violence
- SC/ST atrocities
- Juvenile and mental health detentions
Civil Society and Legal Experts Respond
Human rights groups like PUCL and CHRI have praised the SC for its vigilance. Vrinda Grover, noted human rights advocate, stated:
“Without CCTV, police stations remain black holes of accountability. This order forces open the doors of transparency.”
However, experts also flagged that installation is just the first step—oversight, data access, and citizen awareness must follow.
Challenges Ahead
- Cost and Infrastructure Gaps: Rural and remote police stations face issues with power supply, internet bandwidth, and cloud storage.
- Resistance Within Departments: Some officers view CCTV as interference or fear misuse of footage.
- Digital Security: Without strong cybersecurity protocols, footage could be manipulated, deleted, or hacked.
The Watchful Eye That Guards Rights
The Supreme Court’s renewed push for CCTV surveillance is not about surveillance for its own sake—it's about guarding constitutional rights at the threshold of power.
Because the walls of a police station must not shield injustice. With every camera installed and working, India moves one step closer to a criminal justice system that doesn’t just prosecute fairly—but polices fairly too.
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