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The petition alleged that the PWD Minister approved the installation of CCTV cameras in several assembly constituencies but intentionally excluded Laxmi Nagar. A survey by Bharat Electronics Limited found that 2,066 cameras were needed for the entire Laxmi Nagar constituency. Despite Verma's appeal to the Chief Secretary of the GNCTD, no response was provided.
The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and the government of Delhi to treat the writ petition filed by a BJP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Abhay Verma as a representation. The writ petition was filed against the selective installation of CCTV cameras only in specific areas represented by leaders of the ruling party.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela held, “We Direct GNCTD and PWD to consider the Petition of BJP MLA Abhay Verma, on the installation of CCTV cameras in his constituency, as Representation”.
A BJP MLA, through Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, approached the Delhi High Court, asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government selectively installed CCTV cameras only in areas represented by leaders of the ruling party.
Abhay Verma, representing the Laxmi Nagar Constituency in East Delhi, alleged that Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister, had, during his 2020-21 budget speech, sanctioned the installation of CCTV cameras. However, the approval authority was delegated to the Delhi PWD Minister, leading to potential misuse of power. The petition stated that the PWD, under the minister's direction, adopted a "pick and choose" policy, installing cameras solely in constituencies where AAP leaders were elected.
The counsel representing the government asserted that no installations were made in well-guarded or well-lit areas; rather, the installations took place in unauthorized colonies. The counsel highlighted that such areas were prone to higher crime rates, thereby necessitating the installation of CCTV cameras. Furthermore, the government’s counsel accused the opposing counsel of attempting to politicize the case.
The plea asserted that the absence of CCTV cameras adversely affected law and order in the constituency, compromising the safety and security of its residents. It also claimed that while the ruling party utilized the funds sanctioned by the then Deputy Chief Minister, the petitioner and the residents of Laxmi Nagar were unjustly deprived of these resources. Another representation was made to the Chief Secretary, but a response was still pending.
The petitioner sought the court's intervention to direct the authorities to sanction and install CCTV cameras in the Laxmi Nagar constituency, as recommended by the Bharat Electronics Limited survey.
Accordingly, the court directed to respective authorities to decide the matter within 3 weeks.
Case Title: Abhay Verma v Government Of National Capital Territory (W.P.(C)-11722/2024)
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