Delhi High Court Seeks Response on Plea Alleging Absence of CCTV Cameras in Police Facilities

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Delhi Police, the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on a petition alleging that CCTV cameras have not yet been installed in all police stations and police facilities in the national capital despite clear directions issued by the Supreme Court.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shail Jain issued notice in the matter while hearing a plea filed by Ajay, who claimed that no CCTV cameras were installed at the Anti-Narcotics Task Force Crime Branch Office in Delhi where he was arrested in connection with a narcotics case.

The Court on March 9 directed the authorities to file their responses within three weeks. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also been asked to respond, along with other respondents.

The petition not only raises concerns about the alleged failure to comply with Supreme Court directions on CCTV surveillance but also challenges the legality of the petitioner’s arrest.

According to the plea, Ajay was arrested in connection with a drugs related case after he went to the Crime Branch Office for questioning. The police had alleged that three kilograms of Alprazolam were recovered from his shop.

Following his arrest, the petitioner submitted an application requesting preservation and supply of CCTV camera footage from inside the Crime Branch office where he was questioned and subsequently arrested.

However, a police official informed him that no CCTV cameras were installed at the office.

The petitioner has argued that the absence of CCTV cameras at the facility amounts to a violation of binding directions issued by the Supreme Court requiring the installation of surveillance systems in police stations and investigative offices.

On learning that no CCTV cameras were installed at the Crime Branch office, Ajay approached the Delhi High Court highlighting what he described as a serious lapse in the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions.

In his petition, Ajay has sought a declaration that his arrest was illegal on account of the failure to ensure mandatory surveillance measures at the police facility where he was detained and interrogated.

He has also urged the High Court to direct the authorities to demonstrate compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives by confirming that CCTV cameras have been installed in all police stations and related facilities across Delhi.

The plea relies on the 2021 judgment of the Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini v Baljit Singh, in which the apex court issued detailed guidelines mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations throughout the country.

The Supreme Court had emphasized that CCTV surveillance in police stations is essential to ensure transparency and accountability in police functioning, particularly in matters involving arrests, detention and interrogation.

The judgment directed that CCTV cameras must be installed in key areas of police stations, including entry and exit points, lock ups, corridors and interrogation rooms. The objective was to safeguard the rights of individuals interacting with law enforcement authorities and to prevent potential misuse of power.

The petitioner has contended that the alleged absence of CCTV cameras at the Crime Branch office where he was arrested shows that the directions issued by the Supreme Court have not been fully implemented.

While considering the plea, the High Court deemed it appropriate to seek responses from the Delhi Police, the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to ascertain the position regarding the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations and investigative offices.

The Court has granted the authorities three weeks to file their replies addressing the allegations raised in the petition.

The matter will be taken up for further consideration after the responses are filed.

Case Title: Ajay vs. State of NCT of Delhi

Source: The Hindu