Supreme Court Questions Rajasthan on Missing CCTV Cameras in Police Stations Amid Custody Deaths

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court posed challenging inquiries on Tuesday regarding the absence of CCTV cameras in Rajasthan police station interrogation rooms. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta emphasized that these interrogation areas are the 'primary locations' where surveillance equipment should be installed.

While acknowledging the financial implications, the bench stressed that 'this is a matter of human rights' and questioned the state about how it plans to supervise police activities without CCTV monitoring.

The court suggested involving third-party entities for maintaining centralized storage of footage, not only from interrogation rooms but also from street cameras.

"If companies like Infosys can manage the taxation system and Tata can handle passport services, then similar agencies could be employed to monitor CCTV feeds," the court noted.

The court had independently taken notice on September 4 following media reports that 11 individuals had died in police custody in Rajasthan during the first eight months of the year.

During today's proceedings, the bench heard submissions from senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, appointed as amicus curiae in a related matter where the court had issued a directive in 2020 mandating all states to install CCTV cameras covering all police station areas, except bathrooms.

This directive extended to recording facilities at central investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, and National Investigation Agency. Dave informed the court that he had submitted an updated report on this matter.

Dave highlighted that 16 states, three union territories, and even the central government had not yet fully implemented the court's directive. He also advocated for establishing an oversight mechanism.

The Supreme Court has instructed the central government and state administrations to submit responses to the amicus curiae's report and scheduled the next hearing for November 24.