Supreme court’s big decision, CCTV cameras will be installed in police stations and offices of all investigating agencies

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to install CCTV in police stations across the country on 02 December 2020. The Supreme Court has directed the states and union territories across the country to implement the court order in the right spirit.

The Supreme Court directed the Central Government to install CCTV and recording equipment in the offices of investigative agencies, including the CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigation Agency (NIA), which have the power to make arrests and inquiries.

The Supreme Court said that most investigative agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Department of Revenue Intelligence and Serious Fraud Investigation Office conduct inquiries in their offices. In such a situation, where the accused is kept and he is questioned, it is mandatory to install CCTV and recording equipment. Earlier, the apex court had directed to install CCTV in all police stations after incidents of human rights violations.

A bench headed by Justice RF Nariman said that all states and union territories should ensure that each police station has CCTV cameras installed. All the entry and exit points of the police station, main gate, all lockups, lobbies and reception areas should have CCTV.

The Supreme Court has said that by filing the affidavit of the Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary of the states and union territories, tell us what is the action plan and the time line for following the court order. The court has given six weeks for this.