Supreme Court Reviews Progress on CCTV Installation in Police Stations

The Supreme Court of India recently reviewed the progress of the nationwide mandate to install CCTV cameras in all police stations, a directive aimed at ensuring transparency and curbing custodial violence. The bench noted that the implementation has taken a positive turn, with a significant number of police stations now equipped with the required surveillance infrastructure. This initiative stems from the Court’s landmark judgment in *Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh*, which emphasized the necessity of electronic surveillance to protect human rights and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system. While acknowledging the progress, the apex court highlighted critical gaps that need immediate attention. Specifically, the bench flagged the lack of clarity regarding the extension of funding schemes and the absence of robust long-term maintenance protocols. The Court has granted the Centre a two-week window to provide a comprehensive roadmap addressing these operational challenges. The sustainability of this infrastructure is vital; without a dedicated budget for repairs, data storage, and technical upgrades, the installed systems risk becoming defunct, thereby defeating the purpose of the judicial mandate.