Supreme Court’s CCTV Mandate: Strengthening Accountability and Human Rights in Police Stations
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The Supreme Court has reiterated its 2020 directive for mandatory CCTV installation in all police stations and investigative agencies to prevent custodial torture. This move aims to uphold Article 21 and ensure transparency in law enforcement.
The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the sluggish implementation of its landmark 2020 judgment in the Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh case. The directive mandated the installation of high-definition CCTV cameras with audio recording and night vision capabilities in every police station across the country, as well as in the offices of central investigative agencies like the CBI, ED, and NIA.
The core objective of this mandate is to curb the persistent issue of custodial torture and human rights violations. By ensuring that every nook and corner of a police station—including entry/exit points, lock-ups, corridors, and interrogation rooms—is under surveillance, the court seeks to create a digital trail of evidence. This transparency is not merely an administrative requirement but a fundamental safeguard for the 'Right to Life' and 'Right to Dignity' enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution.
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