Bombay HC calls out government farce on CCTV in police stations

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Tuesday slammed the state government for not complying with the Supreme Court’s December 2, 2020, order to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all police stations.“It is a farce going on,” said Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Milind Jadhav. They were miffed at the report filed by the chief secretary, following their January 25 order, noting that it is “devoid of relevant particulars” and is “completely unsatisfactory”. The judges heard a petition by two persons challenging the “fabricated” and “arbitrary” January 8 notice issued by the Sinnar police station, Nashik, to prevent cognisable offences. The police claimed the notice was issued to maintain law and order following threats allegedly given by the petitioners to complainants in a criminal case. When the judges noted that the notice was backdated and sought CCTV footage, it was submitted that the CCTVs at the police station have not been operating for two months. They then directed the chief secretary to reply, including giving data of functional and non-functional CCTVs. State advocate Shruti Vyas submitted the report, which stated that installation is done at 547 out of 1,089 police stations. The judges also asked what action was taken for non-reporting of non-functional CCTVs at police stations. “Nothing. Because no one is interested in recording what is going on in police stations,” said Justice Kathawalla, then adding that it is a farce going on. The report stated that Rs 60 crore was allotted and work given to two contractors. To the bench’s query, Vyas replied that out of 6,092 cameras installed, 453 are non-functional. “Very good. So that Rs 60 crore has gone down the drain,” said Justice Kathawalla. The judges said they are “not pleased’’ with the chief secretary’s reply and asked that the advocate general appear in the matter.