SupremeCourt – Bench Orders Meeting on CCTV Dashboard Plan
SupremeCourt – The Supreme Court has asked the Union government, Delhi government, and several states to take part in a crucial meeting aimed at creating a centralised dashboard and standardising CCTV systems in police stations across the country. The direction was issued on Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance and accountability mechanisms within law enforcement facilities.
Court Seeks Cooperation from Governments
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order after being informed that key stakeholders were absent from an earlier meeting. Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, told the bench that a meeting scheduled pursuant to the court’s January 29 order had been held on February 21. However, representatives of the Union government, the Delhi government and certain states did not attend.
Because of their absence, Dave informed the court that he was unable to submit a comprehensive report as required. The bench took note of this submission and stressed the importance of full participation by all concerned authorities.
Communication Gap Acknowledged
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the Union government expressed regret, stating that the Centre could not join the February meeting due to a communication lapse. The counsel assured the court that such an issue would not recur and that full cooperation would be extended at the next meeting.
Accepting this assurance, the bench recorded that the amicus curiae had proposed March 14, 2026, as the new date for discussions. The court directed that the meeting be convened on that date as previously instructed. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on March 23.
Background of the Case
The proceedings stem from the court’s earlier decision to register a suo motu public interest litigation concerning non-functional CCTV cameras in police stations. The action was triggered after the court took cognisance of a media report highlighting serious gaps in surveillance infrastructure at several police facilities.
The Supreme Court has, over the years, issued multiple directives aimed at ensuring transparency in custodial environments. In 2018, it ordered that CCTV cameras be installed in all police stations to help curb human rights violations and custodial misconduct.
Expansion to Investigative Agencies
The court strengthened its stance in December 2020 by directing the Centre to ensure installation of CCTV cameras and recording systems not only in police stations but also in offices of central investigative agencies. These include the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency.
At that time, the court laid down detailed guidelines on the scope and technical standards of surveillance systems. States and Union Territories were instructed to place cameras at every police station covering entry and exit points, main gates, lock-ups, corridors, reception areas and surrounding premises. The objective was to ensure that no area, especially those involving detainees, remained outside surveillance coverage.
Technical Standards and Data Storage
The court had also made it clear that CCTV systems must be equipped with night vision capability and include both audio and video recording features. This was considered essential to ensure effective monitoring around the clock.
Further, the Centre, states and Union Territories were directed to procure systems capable of preserving footage for at least one year. Long-term storage was viewed as critical for investigations, legal proceedings and accountability in cases of alleged misconduct.
With the upcoming March meeting, the focus now shifts to developing a unified digital framework through a centralised dashboard and ensuring uniform technical standards nationwide. The court’s latest order underscores its continued oversight in ensuring that surveillance measures in police stations are both functional and effective.