Supreme Court mandated CCTVs at all police stations with audio, night vision, 18-month storage. Use RTI to verify functionality and expose "camera malfunction" excuses.
Key Takeaway: Supreme Court ordered CCTV cameras at every police station covering lock-ups, corridors, entry/exit with audio recording and 18-month storage. Use RTI to verify if cameras are functional - "cameras not working" excuse during custodial incident becomes harder if your pre-incident RTI proved they were operational.
The Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh (2020) mandated CCTV installation at all police stations with audio recording, night vision, covering all critical areas, and 18-month footage retention. Citizens can use RTI to verify functionality - creating accountability for custodial safety and exposing "camera malfunction" excuses during alleged torture or bribery incidents.
Mandatory camera locations:
Technical specifications:
Purpose: Prevent custodial torture, illegal detention, bribery, evidence tampering
Reality:
Verification through RTI exposes gaps.
Address to: PIO, Office of Superintendent of Police/Deputy Commissioner of Police, [District]
"Subject: CCTV Camera Status at Police Stations - RTI Query
In light of Supreme Court order in Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh (SLP Criminal No. 3543/2020), I request:
For [Name] Police Station:
- Total number of CCTV cameras installed as per SC mandate
- Location-wise camera placement (entry/exit, lock-up, corridors, etc.)
- Technical specifications:
- Audio recording capability: Yes/No per camera
- Night vision: Yes/No per camera
- Resolution
- Currently functional cameras: [Number]
- Non-functional cameras: [Number] with reasons and duration of non-functionality
- Storage capacity and actual retention period (months)
- Copy of CCTV Maintenance Register for last 3 months
- Complaints/technical issues logged regarding CCTV in last 6 months
- Name of vendor responsible for maintenance (AMC contract)"
Timeline: 30 days
Fee: ₹10
Ideal response:
Typical reality:
Gap reveals non-compliance despite SC order.
If you anticipate interaction with police (e.g., filing FIR, being called for questioning):
File RTI 15 days before to establish camera status
RTI shows cameras functional → Creates accountability for that period
Later, if custody incident occurs and police claim "cameras not working," your RTI proves they were lying (cameras functional 15 days ago, now suddenly all malfunctioned?)
Custodial torture/death alleged:
Victim's family RTI:
"For [Police Station] on [Date of Incident]:
- CCTV footage of lock-up area from [Date/Time] to [Date/Time]
- If footage not available, reason why (camera malfunction/storage issue)
- If camera was non-functional, date since when and reason
- Complaints/repair requests for that camera before incident date"
If police claim "camera wasn't working":
Suspicion increases if malfunction coincides exactly with alleged torture timing.
In court (habeas corpus, compensation cases):
Present RTI response showing:
Court can order:
Counter via RTI:
"Provide server maintenance log showing crash date, recovery attempts, vendor reports"
If no documentation: Fabricated excuse
Counter:
Counter:
Counter via RTI:
"Provide camera-wise functionality status. If only lock-up camera consistently malfunctions, it suggests deliberate neglect of most critical area."
"Subject: Non-Compliance with SC CCTV Mandate - [Police Station]
Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh mandated CCTV installation at all police stations.
However, RTI response (attached) reveals:
- Only 50% cameras functional
- No audio recording capability
- Storage period 3 months instead of mandated 18
This violates:
- SC order (contempt of court)
- Custodial safety rights
- Right to fair investigation
I request Commission to:
- Direct immediate compliance
- Inquiry into why order not implemented despite 4 years
- Action against officers responsible for non-compliance"
If systematic non-compliance:
File contempt petition in High Court:
Public interest grounds - affects all citizens' rights.
"Police Stations Violate SC CCTV Order: RTI Reveals
Despite 2020 Supreme Court mandate, [X]% of cameras at [District] police stations non-functional.
RTI responses show:
- Audio recording absent in 80% stations
- Storage period only 3-6 months
- Maintenance registers not maintained
Victims of custodial torture have no evidence due to non-compliance."
Public shame often triggers action.
Activists can:
Make CCTV status an annual accountability metric:
Demand police publish:
Police Complaints Authority, Human Rights Commissions should:
CCTV cameras were supposed to:
But without verification:
By using RTI to verify functionality, demanding compliance with SC mandate, and using camera data in legal proceedings, citizens ensure custodial safety infrastructure isn't just paper compliance.
File RTI about your local police station today. Know if cameras work. If an incident occurs tomorrow, you'll have evidence of whether police were truthful about "camera malfunction."
Resources: Supreme Court Judgment - Paramvir Singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh (SLP Criminal No. 3543/2020) | RTI to District SP/DCP office
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