The Supreme Court has given the Centre two weeks to fix lapses in CCTV installation in police stations, stressing accountability and coordination. It highlighted Kerala’s real-time monitoring system as a model for nationwide implementation.
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday granted the Union government two weeks to fix gaps in the installation and proper functioning of CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. The Court stressed that better coordination between authorities and adoption of effective models is necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in policing.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a suo motu case regarding the lack of functional CCTV systems in police stations nationwide. This hearing came after the Court had earlier directed the personal appearance of the Union Home Secretary to assist in resolving the issue.
Appearing for the Union government, Attorney General R. Venkataramani admitted that there were coordination issues and requested some time to address them. He stated,
“I am taking stock of the issue… there is a lot of coordination required. We will hold meetings with the Amicus and the Home Secretary and try to sort out the issues within a week,”
and also apologised for not being present in earlier hearings.
However, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with how the Union government was handling the matter, especially since a committee had already been formed and an Amicus Curiae appointed. Justice Nath raised concerns about the level of engagement and questioned whether the representation in such an important matter was adequate.
During the hearing, the Bench appreciated the system developed by Kerala, noting that the state has created a strong software mechanism that allows real-time monitoring of CCTV footage. The Court observed that, according to the Amicus, states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have also made good progress, but Kerala’s model stands out as the most effective.
The Bench questioned why a uniform system like Kerala’s could not be implemented across all states instead of each state creating its own separate model. It highlighted that standardisation would help ensure better surveillance and accountability in police functioning.
Recording the submissions made by the Attorney General, the Court noted the assurance given by the Union government that all pending issues would be resolved through regular coordination meetings. The Court recorded the assurance stating,
“Within two weeks, all issues will be sorted out.”
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on April 28.
Earlier, in November 2025, the Court had already given three weeks’ time to both the Union and the states to file compliance affidavits in this suo motu case. At that time, the Bench had observed,
“We have perused the tabulation chart by the amicus. We find that only 11 states have filed their compliance affidavit. Request has been made by Solicitor General that 3 weeks’ time may be granted within which compliance affidavit may be filed. We grant 3 weeks time to the states also who have not filed. List again on December 16. If they are not filed by the next date, Principal Secretaries of the department of home shall remain present before this court along with their respective explanations”.
The Court has also earlier raised serious concerns specifically about Rajasthan, where CCTV cameras were missing in interrogation rooms of police stations. The Bench pointed out that interrogation rooms are the most critical areas for surveillance, as they directly relate to protection of human rights and prevention of custodial violence. It observed that these rooms are the “main place” where CCTV monitoring is essential.
This entire case started after the Court took suo motu cognisance of media reports highlighting custodial deaths. Referring to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, the Bench had earlier noted,
“Based on Dainik Bhaskar, we are directing a suo motu PIL titled Lack of functional CCTVs in police stations, as 11 custodial deaths were reported in 2025 over the past 7–8 months,”
Justice Nath had observed.
The report further stated,
“There have been 11 deaths in police custody in the state within 8 months of 2025. 7 deaths have occurred in Udaipur division. In August, two bullion traders died in Kankroli police station of Rajsamand district and Rishabhdev police station of Udaipur district. Information was sought under RTI in all the cases.”
The Court’s action is part of its continued effort to enforce its landmark 2020 judgment, where it made it compulsory to install CCTV cameras in all police stations and offices of central investigating agencies such as CBI, NIA, ED, NCB, DRI and SFIO. In that judgment, delivered by Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, KM Joseph and Aniruddha Bose, the Court had also directed that CCTV systems must include both audio and video recording along with night vision capabilities.
Importantly, the Court had clarified that in cases of custodial violence or death, victims or their families have the right to access CCTV footage through Human Rights Courts, ensuring greater accountability.
Despite these clear directions, compliance across states has remained inconsistent. Authorities often claim that cameras are not working or that footage is unavailable when such evidence is required in cases of custodial violence.
Case Title:
In Re: Lack of Functional CCTVs in Police Stations
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