The Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure over the absence of CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. The court took suo motu cognizance of a news report concerning non-functional CCTV cameras in Rajasthan and deaths in police custody. According to the news report, approximately 11 people have died in police custody in Rajasthan in the past 8 months of this year. After hearing the matter, the Supreme Court reserved its decision and is scheduled to announce its verdict on September 26th.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while commenting on the issue, stated that the matter is not just about installation but also about monitoring. Even if an affidavit of compliance is filed today, what will happen if police officers switch off or divert the cameras tomorrow? The court clarified during the hearing that this case is not just about technical compliance, but also about transparency in police custody and the safety of citizens.
