New Delhi (ILNS): The Supreme Court today reserved its order on the issue of installation of CCTVs in police stations across the country. Two years after the top court’s directive in this regard, a supreme court bench led Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman today heard the case regarding compliance of the verdict.
Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, Amicus curiae made his submissions before the court and told the bench about the number of CCTV cameras installed in prisons by different state governments.
Justice Nariman stated: “Affidavits have been filed by persons of several stature. Uttar Pradesh through Superindent of Police, West Bengal has done through Commissioner of home dept. We have to lay down clearly who should file this affidavit.” To this Dave replied: “Only Home Secretary should file.”
The court maintained that it needs additional affidavits on the total number of police stations in each district and also emphasised that it is necessary for the court to know as to who will be the oversight committee.
The bench asked: “We have to see that the CCTVs are functioning. Who do we fix the responsibility?”
Dave told the court that the SHO of each station should be responsible for this.
Attorney General KK Venugopal said: “In rural areas too, internet needs to be provided, as it’s needed for CCTV. State governments should ensure electricity and internet made available to these stations. Questionnaire also needs to be circulated to elicit all info needed for affidavits.”
The court said: “We are on police atrocity. The oversight committee should be able to take a look at these footages and take immediate action… that is most important.”
Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, for West Bengal, told the court that all the police stations are equipped with CCTVs and the oversight committee will be formed after discussion with the Chief Minister. He further stated that this oversight committee can have the Police Commissioner, district magistrate and Superintendent of police.
Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, P Vinod Diwakar apprised the court that the state has also ensured CCTV in all police stations.
To this Justice Nariman said: “That’s good, but we are not on individual merit or cases. We are looking at the global picture.”
After the representatives of different state governments informed the bench about the current status of the court directive, Justice Nariman said that the court needs suggestions and not individual data.
In August this year, the Supreme Court had sought the assistance of Attorney General KK Venugopal in apprising it of the progress made in installation of CCTV cameras across all police stations in the country and audio-video recording of statements made before the police officers.
The bench asked senior advocate Dave to submit written note of suggestion by Friday.