Supreme Court Seeks Response From State Of Rajasthan On 12 Issues Regarding Lack Of Functional CCTVs In Police Stations

Today, the Supreme Court, while hearing the Suo motu public interest litigation over lack of functional CCTVs in police stations, sought response from the State of Rajasthan on as many as twelve queries including status of internet connectivity at the police stations and its integration with a centralized server, among others.

Earlier, the Supreme Court reserved to pass order on September 26 in the suo motu public interest litigation over lack of functional CCTVs in police stations after taking cognisance of a media report.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard the matter and directed, “We, therefore, direct the learned Additional Advocate General of the State of Rajasthan to take notice and file a response to the following queries…”

Case Brief

The Supreme Court took Suo Motu writ petition pursuant to the cognizance taken by the Court of a news report in Dainik Bhaskar Newspaper, Rajasthan Edition, which provided that as many as 11 lives were lost in police custody in the state of Rajasthan in the first eight months of the year 2025, of which seven incidents occurred in the Udaipur Division.

On September 15, 2025, the the Supreme Court, while hearing the Suo motu public interest litigation over lack of functional CCTVs in police stations, suggested for the establishment of Control Rooms, without any human intervention, to be monitored by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

On September 04, 2025, the Supreme Court directed registration of a Suo motu public interest litigation over lack of functional CCTVs in police stations after taking cognisance of a media report. The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta referred to the media report and said, "...we are directing for registration of a Suo motu public interest litigation titled 'lack of functional CCTVs in police stations' as it has been reported that there are about 11 deaths in the last seven-eight months of this year in police custody".

The Apex Court had in 2018 ordered installation of CCTV cameras in police stations to check human rights abuses. In December 2020, the Apex Court had directed the Centre to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment at the offices of investigating agencies, including the CBI, the ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It had said that states and Union Territories should ensure that CCTV cameras were installed at each and every police station, at all entry and exit points, main gate, lock-ups, corridors, lobby and reception as also areas outside the lock-up rooms so that no part was left uncovered.

Court’s Observation

After taking Suo moto cognizance in the matter, the Supreme Court said that the efforts to procure CCTV footage from the police stations concerned, proved futile because the information was denied/not provided on frivolous grounds.

The Court highlighted that the non-functioning of the CCTV cameras/non-preservation of the video recording and its data, is in breach of the directions issued by the Apex Court in the case of Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh and Others (2021).

Consequently , the Bench directed the the State of Rajasthan to file a response to following queries:

(i) Number of police stations in each district.

(ii) Number of cameras installed in each police station with placement details.

(iii) Specifications of cameras like resolution, night vision, field of view, audio capture, and tamper detection.

(iv) Storage mechanism followed for the storage of video data, including the period for which the data is preserved.

(v) Frequency at which maintenance activity is carried out.

(vi) Escalation process in case there is some malfunction in the camera and process of redressal for the same.

(vii) Status of internet connectivity at the police stations and its integration with a centralized server/control room, if any.

(viii) Software configuration and creation of centralized dashboard.
(ix) Creation of SOPs for the training of officers regarding access, review and retention of video footage and regarding protocols for usage, escalation and tamper proof protocols. Furthermore, information shall be provided in respect of training of the officers in respect of data protection laws and judicial admissibility of the video footage.

(x) Whether any regular audit is conducted to check the functioning of the installed cameras. If so, the detailed report with complete statistics be placed on record.

(xi) Whether any audit of logs and integrity of footage is carried out?

(xii) Whether there is any provision for surprise inspections and forensic validation of tamper proofing?

The Court ordered that the response shall be filed within two weeks. Accordingly, the matter will be heard on October 14, 2025.

Cause Title: In Re Lack Of Functional CCTVs In Police Stations (SMW(C) No. 7/2025 PIL-W)

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