The Central Government on Tuesday assured the Supreme Court that all pending hurdles regarding the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in police stations across India will be resolved within the next fourteen days. The commitment comes as part of a long-standing suo motu case aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing custodial misconduct.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing before a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, stated that he is personally overseeing the matter. He informed the court that “a lot of things were happening” and that he is currently taking stock of the implementation status across various states and union territories.
The hearing saw the personal appearance of the Union Home Secretary, following a specific directive issued by the apex court on April 6. The court had summoned the senior official to ensure high-level administrative assistance in executing the CCTV scheme, which has faced delays in several jurisdictions.
The Attorney General emphasized a collaborative approach to meet the court’s requirements. He informed the bench that “within two weeks, he will make sure that all the issues are sorted out by holding regular meetings with the amicus curiae and other officers.”
The Supreme Court is currently presiding over a suo motu matter triggered by reports of non-functional or absent CCTV systems in police stations. The judiciary has viewed the lack of digital surveillance as a significant gap in protecting the fundamental rights of citizens during police interaction and detention.
Previous orders in this matter have detailed the technical specifications required for these cameras, including night vision capabilities and long-term storage of footage, to ensure they serve as an effective deterrent against custodial torture.
After noting the Centre’s assurance, the bench has scheduled the next hearing for April 28. The court expects a comprehensive update on the progress made during these two weeks of inter-departmental consultations.
