The Supreme Court sought the Centre's response on extending the CCTV funding scheme and ensuring maintenance support for functional cameras in police stations across India

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred hearing in its suo motu case concerning the installation and functioning of CCTV cameras in police stations across the country, while asking the Union Government to take instructions on extending the existing funding scheme and ensuring adequate maintenance support.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing the matter.


Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, assisting the Court as amicus curiae, submitted a fresh status report stating that substantial progress had been made in implementing CCTV surveillance across police stations. However, he flagged concerns over the expiry of the existing funding scheme.

Dave informed the Court that the Union Government had consistently provided financial support through successive schemes to facilitate the installation of CCTV cameras. He, however, pointed out that during a meeting held on July 11, it was indicated that the scheme for the financial year 2026–27 was nearing its end and that the funds available under it were limited.

He urged the Court to issue directions to the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the scheme until December 2027 and to consider, in a liberal manner, proposals submitted by States and Union Territories seeking additional funds for CCTV infrastructure.

Justice Mehta observed that the implementation process had progressed well and appreciated the efforts made by the amicus curiae.

"In this matter things are moving very well and we must give credit to Mr. Dave for his efforts," Justice Mehta remarked.

The Bench also 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 observed.

Appearing for the Union Government, ASG Raja Thakare sought time to obtain instructions on the issues raised in the status report.

Accepting the request, Justice Nath said the Court would refrain from passing directions immediately and adjourned the matter by two weeks to enable the Centre to respond on the proposals concerning extension of the scheme and maintenance funding.

Background of the Case

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: July 22, 2026

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