prisons and in 44 police stations in the
State have already been installed. So also
the State of Tamil Nadu plans to equip all
police stations with CCTV cameras. State of
Haryana has stated that CCTV cameras should
be installed in all police stations,
especially, at the entrance and in the
lockups. Union Territories of Andaman &
Nicobar and Puducherry has also installed
CCTV cameras in most of the police
stations. Some other States also appear to
be taking steps to do so. Some of the
States have, however, remained silent and
non-committal on the issue. We do not for
the present consider it necessary to issue
a direction for installation of CCTV
cameras in all police stations. We are of
the opinion that the matter cannot be left
to be considered by the State Governments
concerned, having regard to the fact that
several other State Governments have
already taken action in that direction
which we consider is commendable. All that
we need say is that the State Governments
may consider taking an appropriate decision
in this regard, and appropriate action
wherever it is considered feasible to
install CCTV cameras in police stations.
Some of these police stations may be
located in sensitive areas prone to human
rights violation. The States would,
therefore, do well in identifying such
police stations in the first instance and
providing the necessary safeguard against
such violation by installing CCTV camera in
the same. The process can be completed in a
phased manner depending upon the nature and
the extent of violation and the experience
of the past.”
