Non-compliance by U.P. Police on CCTV Footage Preservation Deemed Contempt of Supreme Court; Principal Secretary Ordered to Inquire
In a recent decision, the Allahabad High Court has emphasized the mandatory nature of preserving CCTV footage in police stations, as per Supreme Court directives and circulars by the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh. The judgment, delivered by a division bench comprising Justices Abdul Moin and Babita Rani, addressed a Habeas Corpus Petition filed by Vivek Singh against the State of Uttar Pradesh and others.
The court highlighted the significance of CCTV footage preservation, referencing the Supreme Court's directions in the case of Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh (2021), which mandates the retention of such footage for specific periods. Despite these clear directives, the failure to preserve footage at the P.G.I. Police Station in Lucknow was attributed to "technical glitches," a justification the court found unacceptable.
The case arose from the non-preservation of CCTV footage between November 7 and November 9, 2025, during which period the petitioner alleged unlawful detention. The court noted that not only does the failure to preserve this footage constitute a breach of the Supreme Court's order, but it also violates the circular issued by the U.P. Police on June 20, 2025, mandating footage preservation for at least two to two and a half months.
Taking the matter seriously, the court has directed the Principal Secretary (Home), U.P., to personally investigate the reasons behind the non-preservation of the footage and any delay in addressing the reported technical glitches. The court also ordered the Principal Secretary to file a personal affidavit within three weeks, detailing the findings of this inquiry.
The court further warned that non-compliance with its directive would necessitate the personal appearance of the Principal Secretary in court. This stern stance underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring accountability and adherence to legal mandates regarding the use of surveillance technology in law enforcement.
Bottom Line:
Preservation of CCTV footage in police stations is mandatory as per the directions of the Supreme Court and circulars issued by the Director General of Police. Non-preservation of CCTV footage citing "technical glitches" is unacceptable and amounts to gross contempt of Supreme Court orders.
Statutory provision(s): Habeas Corpus Petition.
Vivek Singh v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(Lucknow)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2845898
