Install CCTV Cameras in every Police Station

06/02/2026

Protection of Fundamental Rights is a sacred constitutional duty of all pillars of democracy. Without their effective enforcement, democracy degenerates into hypocrisy and justice becomes a casualty. Among all state institutions, the police occupy a position of immense power and responsibility. When this power is exercised without accountability, it directly threatens personal liberty and the rule of law.
In recent times, arrests by the police have increasingly become a display of authority rather than a lawful necessity. The law is clear. For offences punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years, arrest is not automatic. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the police are required to issue a written notice of appearance. Arrest can be made only after due compliance with legal safeguards and, where necessary, with the permission of the court. Yet, this mandate is routinely ignored, resulting in illegal detentions and harassment of citizens.
Equally alarming is the refusal by police officers to register First Information Reports in cognizable offences on the false pretext of lack of territorial jurisdiction. The law mandates the registration of a Zero FIR, which must then be transferred to the appropriate police station. Despite repeated judicial pronouncements, this obligation is violated daily. Citizens are turned away without acknowledgment, receipts are not issued for complaints or documents submitted, and the common person leaves the police station feeling humiliated and helpless. This hostile environment discourages victims from approaching law enforcement, eroding public confidence in the system.
A deeply distur-bing incident recently reported from Delhi highlights the gravity of the problem. A female journalist allegedly approached a police station to lodge a complaint. The police reportedly refused to register the FIR, and when she protested, she was detained. It is alleged that the CCTV cameras inside the police station were deliberately rendered nonfunctional, and serious misconduct occurred during her detention. When the matter came under scrutiny, the cameras were conveniently found to be not working. Such incidents strike at the very heart of constitutional morality and expose the dangers of unchecked power.
The Supreme Court of India has already issued clear directions mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations and ensuring their continuous functioning. These cameras are not a luxury but a constitutional safeguard. They protect citizens from abuse and honest police officers from false allegations. However, the deliberate disabling of CCTV systems amounts to destruction of evidence and raises a strong presumption of wrongdoing. This is not mere noncompliance but a mockery of judicial authority.
It is imperative that stronger enforcement mechanisms be put in place. The Supreme Court must authorize all courts in the country to initiate contempt proceedings whenever complaints arise regarding nonfunctional CCTV cameras, whether through formal petitions, media reports, or credible information circulating on social platforms. Such proceedings should be initiated in the name of the Supreme Court to ensure seriousness and uniformity of action.
Additionally, the legal fraternity must step forward. Bar associations, including former presidents and senior members, should constitute monitoring committees to conduct regular visits to police stations. Their presence will act as a deterrent against misconduct and reinforce accountability. Civil society and the legal community cannot remain silent spectators while constitutional guarantees are violated behind closed doors.
Installing and maintaining functional CCTV cameras in every police station is not merely an administrative measure. It is a moral and constitutional necessity. Transparency is the strongest antidote to abuse of power. To stem the rot and restore public faith in the criminal justice system, accountability must be enforced relentlessly. Justice cannot survive in darkness. It requires constant vigilance and the courage to hold power answerable to the law.
(Writer is a practicing lawyer and former President J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu)

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