Constant questions have been raised about the police system in India, whether it be the cases of death in police custody or allegations of needless torture, there is a constant talk of police reforms on all these things. In this order, the Supreme Court issued an order asking to install CCTV cameras in all police stations and offices of the investigating agencies, which was not followed. Now the Supreme Court has slammed the Central Government on this matter.
The government asked for time by writing a letter
In fact, in December 2020, the Supreme Court had issued an order to the government that CCTV cameras should be installed in all police offices. But when it was not complied with, when the government was questioned, the government said that now it needs more time. On which the Supreme Court reprimanded the Central Government.
The central government filed a letter in the Supreme Court regarding this matter, in which the adjournment of the verdict, ie for some time, was said to be stayed. Now expressing displeasure over this letter, Justice Nariman told the government in the Supreme Court that, we are getting a different notion that you are dragging your feet back. What kind of letter have you written?
According to Live Law, when the Solicitor General argued in response that this was done with the effect of the court order, Justice Nariman said that, “We are not worried about its impact. This is for the rights of citizens. For this, the Supreme Court mentioned Article 21 of the Constitution. At the same time, we told the government in a strict tone that we cannot accept the excuses given in the letter.”
The central government will have to give an affidavit in three weeks
The government also mentioned efforts to raise funds for this, on which the Supreme Court said that you should tell us how much fund has been raised. On this, the Solicitor General asked the court for 10 days time to reply.
The court finally said that the government has not yet followed the instructions issued in the previous order. That is why we issue a directive to the government that in the next three weeks, by filing an affidavit telling how much financial expenses are required. Also, it should also be told that the instructions issued by the court will be fulfilled by how long.
The Supreme Court has also issued new instructions to the state governments regarding installation of CCTV cameras in police stations. The Supreme Court said that it does not agree with the affidavit given by the states. That is why the states have now been asked to install CCTV cameras in the next 5 months. The states where elections are going to be held this year have been given time till December 31.
What was the court’s order regarding CCTV?
Let us know that on December 2 last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Center to install CCTV and recording equipment in the offices of the investigating agencies. These include agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigating Agency (NIA). In this judgment, the court said that, “Since most of these agencies conduct inquiries in their offices, CCTVs will be essentially installed in all the offices where such inquiries and the accused are held in the same way as in any police station.”
Now the Central Government has been reprimanded for this order. At the same time, the states have got the deadline to install cameras in police stations. Explain that according to the court’s order, the CCTV systems to be installed should be equipped with night vision and it is necessary that the audio as well as the video footage is clear. Also, instructions were given to maintain the footage for 18 months.
