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SC Orders CCTV Coverage in Lock-ups and Interrogation Rooms Nationwide
Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Mandates CCTV in Police Stations Across India
To Prevent Custodial Torture, SC Orders CCTV Installation in Police Stations
Supreme Court Orders CCTV Installation in All Police Stations Across India
New Delhi:(Najaf Ali Shoukat-PMI) The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment delivered in December 2020, directed that CCTV cameras be installed in every police station across the country. The order was issued in the case of Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh and aims to curb incidents of custodial torture and safeguard the rights of citizens.
The apex court stressed that all areas of a police station, including lock-ups, entry and exit points, and interrogation rooms, must be covered by functional CCTV cameras. This measure is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of individuals in police custody.
The Court made it mandatory for the Home Departments of all States and Union Territories to ensure that the CCTV systems are in working condition at all times. Importantly, the recorded footage must be preserved for a minimum period of 18 months, enabling effective investigation in case of complaints.
Further, the Supreme Court clarified that any victim of police misconduct, or their legal representative, has the right to obtain CCTV footage for the purpose of filing a complaint or seeking justice.
This directive is considered a crucial step in strengthening human rights protections and ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within the framework of the Constitution. Legal experts hailed the judgment as a move that would bring greater transparency in policing and help reduce instances of custodial violence.(pressmediaofindia.com)
