SC Mandates CCTV Compliance in Police Stations: Strengthening Accountability and Human Rights

The Supreme Court of India recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with several states and Union Territories for their continued delay in installing functional CCTV cameras in police stations. This directive stems from the landmark 2020 judgment in the Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh case, where the court mandated that every police station must be equipped with night-vision-enabled CCTV cameras and audio recording facilities. The court’s insistence on these installations is rooted in the protection of Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. Custodial torture and 'third-degree' methods remain significant challenges within the Indian criminal justice system. By ensuring that every nook and corner of a police station—including entry/exit points, lockups, corridors, and interrogation rooms—is under constant surveillance, the judiciary aims to create a transparent environment that deters police high-handedness. Furthermore, the court has specified that the recorded data must be preserved for at least 18 months to ensure it can be used as evidence in cases of alleged human rights violations.