Delhi High Court Denies Interim Relief on CCTV Footage Preservation for Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Mehmood Pracha's plea against Election Commission’s data destruction policy dismissed; hearing set for February 2026.

In a significant development concerning the preservation of election-related data, the Delhi High Court, on November 7, 2025, declined to grant interim relief sought by Mehmood Pracha in his petition against the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petitioner had sought the preservation of CCTV and video footage from the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, challenging the ECI's instructions that allow for the destruction of such data after a specified period unless a legal proceeding is ongoing.

The case, titled Mehmood Pracha v. Election Commission of India, was heard by Justice Mini Pushkarna. Pracha, appearing in person, argued vehemently for the preservation of the footage, citing the ECI's "Handbook for Returning Officer, 2023," which mandates the retention of CCTV/video recordings if any petition or complaint concerning the election is pending. 

The petitioner highlighted a Supreme Court order from August 20, 2024, which granted him the liberty to bring specific information before the High Court regarding the elections. However, the ECI, represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that the destruction of the data was in accordance with modified instructions dated May 30, 2025. These modifications were made due to concerns over misuse of the content on social media, which had been used to propagate misinformation.

The court took note of the ECI's statement that the data had already been destroyed as per the instructions, which was contested by Pracha. He alleged that the May 2025 instructions were a strategic move to undermine his writ petition and to destroy potential evidence.

Despite these arguments, the court refrained from granting interim relief, noting the ongoing dispute and scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on February 13, 2026. The court's decision underscores the tension between data preservation for legal scrutiny and the regulatory measures to prevent misuse of election-related content.

Bottom Line:

Preservation of CCTV/video footage related to Lok Sabha Elections, 2024, and its destruction as per Election Commission instructions challenged.

Statutory provision(s):  

- Election Law as per the "Handbook for Returning Officer, 2023"

- Election Commission Instructions dated 30th May, 2025

- Supreme Court order dated 20th August, 2024

Mehmood Pracha v. Election Commission of India, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2807055