SC slams Centre for delaying installation of CCTV cameras in probe agencies' offices

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Centre for dragging its feet by seeking more time for installing CCTV cameras in the offices of central probe agencies like CBI, NIA, ED etc, saying it can't accept excuses, as it concerned the rights of citizens.

On December 2, 2020, the top court had directed the Centre to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment at the offices of investigating agencies -- NIA, CBI, ED, DRI etc.—which have the power to arrest and carry out interrogations. It had ordered that CCTV cameras must be installed with such recording systems so that the stored data should be preserved for a period of 18 months.

On Tuesday, the court expressed its displeasure after the Centre sought adjournment, and maintained that it would have ramifications, instead of showing compliance to its order.

"It is setting an impression that the Centre is dragging its feet in the matter," a bench presided over by Justice R F Nariman said.

The bench also told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that it was not concerned about ramifications.

“This concerns the right of citizens, we are not accepting excuses," the bench said.

The court also sought to know about allocation of funds for installation of CCTVs in central probe agencies.

Mehta sought some time to file an affidavit in the matter.

The court gave three weeks to the Centre to file an affidavit citing financial outlay for allocation of CCTV cameras and timeline for installation.

The bench also went through the chart submitted by amicus curiae senior advocate Sidharth Dave in connection with the timeline sought by various state governments.

The court granted five months to state governments to install CCTV in police stations. For poll-bound states – West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry –it directed setting up CCTV in police stations till December end this year. The bench gave nine months to Uttar Pradesh and eight months to Madhya Pradesh to comply with its order.

The court posted the matter for further hearing after Holi.