The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union government, Delhi government and other stakeholders to participate in a meeting on March 14 for the creation of a centralised dashboard and standardisation of CCTV infrastructure in police stations across the country.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order after senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, assisting the court as amicus curiae, informed that although a meeting was convened on February 21 pursuant to the court’s January 29 order, the Union government, the Delhi government and some states did not attend. As a result, he was unable to file the required report.
Recording the submission, the court noted that counsel for the Union of India had apologised for the absence, attributing it to a communication gap, and assured full cooperation in the next meeting.
“The amicus has suggested March 14, 2026, as the next date for a meeting. Let the meeting be held as directed earlier on March 14, 2026,” the bench ordered.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 23.
The court is dealing with a suo motu public interest litigation initiated after taking cognisance of a media report highlighting the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations.
In its earlier directions, the apex court had mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations to check human rights violations. In 2018, it ordered that CCTV cameras be installed across police stations. Subsequently, in December 2020, it directed the Centre to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment in the offices of investigating agencies, including the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency.
The court had also directed states and Union Territories to ensure that CCTV cameras cover all entry and exit points, the main gate, lock-ups, corridors, lobbies, reception areas and the areas outside lock-up rooms so that no portion remains uncovered.
It further mandated that CCTV systems must have night vision capability, audio as well as video recording, and storage capacity for at least one year.
