Supreme Court Directs Nationwide Compliance for CCTV Installation in Police Stations

Supreme Court mandates all states and union territories to submit compliance reports on CCTV implementation to ensure transparency and accountability.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Union of India, alongside all states and union territories, to ensure the installation and maintenance of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. This decision arises from a suo moto writ petition concerning the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations, particularly highlighted by custodial deaths reported in Rajasthan.

The judgment, delivered by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, mandates detailed compliance with previous court orders, including those from the case of Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh and Others, where similar directives were issued. The court has expressed serious concerns over the non-compliance and insufficiencies in CCTV installations, which are crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability in custodial situations.

Key directives from the Supreme Court include the submission of detailed reports addressing the installation, operation, integration, storage, and oversight mechanisms for CCTV systems. The court has underscored the importance of these systems in preventing custodial deaths and ensuring human rights are upheld within police stations.

The judgment also explores the feasibility of advanced technological implementations. It suggests the creation of centralized dashboards for real-time detection of any tampering or malfunction of CCTV cameras, the use of AI tools for predictive maintenance, and the installation of Wi-Fi enabled cameras for secure cloud storage of footage. The Supreme Court has proposed involving expert institutions and private entities such as IITs and companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys for technical support and management.

Furthermore, the court has directed the states of Gujarat and Jharkhand to file compliance affidavits by 17th November 2025, as these states have not adhered to previous orders. The Union of India is tasked with responding to specific queries regarding the feasibility of integrating existing systems into a centralized platform and establishing oversight mechanisms to prevent human manipulation of recorded footage.

This judgment marks a significant step toward ensuring police accountability and transparency in India, aiming to safeguard human rights and prevent instances of custodial violence and deaths. All involved authorities are expected to comply and submit their responses before the next hearing scheduled for 24th November 2025.

Statutory provision(s): Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh, (2021) 1 SCC 184

In Re : Lack Of Functional CCTVS In Police Stations, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2796157