Supreme Court flagged Jharkhand’s lack of CCTV cameras in police stations and questioned the Centre over funding for surveillance infrastructure

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the lack of CCTV cameras in police stations in Jharkhand, with the Court being told that the State had not installed “not one CCTV camera” since 2020.

The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing the suo motu proceedings concerning the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across States was examining compliance with its earlier directions.


Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing in the matter, told the Bench that Jharkhand had apparently not provided the specific details sought by the Court on August 3.

When the issue of Jharkhand’s compliance came up, Dave submitted: “Not one CCTV camera, not one, since 2020, My Lord.”

The Bench directed that the position regarding Jharkhand be specifically indicated.

SC questions Centre over CCTV funding

Earlier in the hearing, Dave referred to an affidavit filed by the Union Government on August 31, proposing a new police modernisation scheme.

He submitted that the existing police modernisation scheme in Assam had been extended until March 31, 2027. A new umbrella scheme, proposed as the Police Modernization Mission (PMM), is also under consideration.

According to the submission, the proposed PMM seeks to modernise and future-proof police and internal security infrastructure through technology, targeted investments and reforms, with a proposed outlay of ₹24,000 crore over five years.

The amicus curiae, however, submitted that the existing scheme was nearing its end and urged the Court to ensure that funds already available did not lapse. He also stressed the need for continuity in funding for CCTV infrastructure.

The Bench questioned the Centre on the issue, asking, “Where have you said that the balance funds will automatically be transferred to this scheme?” The Court also questioned why funds available under the existing scheme could not immediately be utilised to strengthen CCTV infrastructure in police stations.

Dave submitted that the proposed PMM would contain adequate provisions for CCTV cameras in police stations, which he said had been an integral part of police modernisation.

The Bench, however, emphasised the need to address the immediate funding gap. The Court recorded that the Union’s affidavit had been filed and asked Additional Solicitor General Raja Thackeray to obtain further instructions on the issue.

The matter has been listed for September 21.

Background of the Case

In July, the Court had underscored that merely installing CCTV cameras would not suffice unless adequate maintenance mechanisms were put in place. "Now there are two things. One is the extension of the scheme and secondly for maintenance also. You don't provide maintenance and they will become defunct, so the AMC has to be there," Justice Mehta had observed.

Earlier, on April 28, the Court had directed that a meeting be convened on May 6 to examine the utilisation of funds allocated for installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. “We are of the view that a meeting be convened by the amicus, as done earlier, in which the home secretary of the central government or his nominee not below the rank of joint or additional secretary and the home secretary of states/Union Territories will participate,” the Bench had observed.

On April 7, the Centre had assured the Court that all issues concerning installation of CCTVs would be resolved within two weeks. The assurance was given by Attorney General R. Venkataramani, who stated that the government was actively reviewing the situation.

The proceedings arise from a suo motu case initiated by the top court over the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations, following a media report. The Court had also laid down detailed requirements, directing that CCTV systems cover all critical areas including entry and exit points, lock-ups, corridors and reception areas, and be equipped with night vision, audio-video recording, and storage capacity of at least one year.

Notably, in November 2025, the Bench had granted three weeks' time to the Union government and the states for filing compliance affidavit in the suo motu case initiated by the court on the issue of CCTVs in police stations.

The Supreme Court had raised serious concerns over the lack of CCTV cameras in the interrogation rooms of police stations across Rajasthan, emphasizing the human rights implications of such a gap.

Previously, on September 26, the Court had directed that specific information on 12 key points be provided by all States and Union Territories within three weeks. The details required include status of CCTV installation, functionality, storage of footage, and monitoring mechanisms.

The Apex Court had initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across the country, following media reports of 11 custodial deaths in 2025. The Bench had taken note of a report published in Dainik Bhaskar highlighting the alarming rise in custodial deaths over the past seven to eight months.

“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 Court’s intervention marked a significant step towards enforcing compliance with its earlier directions mandating CCTV installation in all police stations to ensure transparency and accountability. The report 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."

Case Title: In Re: Lack of Functional CCTVs in Police Stations

Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta

Hearing Date: September 3, 2026

Tags: