New Delhi, September 4, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Thursday reopened a pivotal case concerning the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in police stations and central law enforcement offices, following alarming reports of custodial deaths across the country in recent months.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta took suo motu cognisance of a Dainik Bhaskar report which revealed that at least 11 individuals had died in police custody over the past seven to eight months. The development comes five years after the apex court’s landmark 2020 judgment in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh, which had laid down detailed directions to ensure transparency and accountability in custodial procedures.
In the 2020 judgment, a three-judge Bench led by then Justice Rohinton F. Nariman had directed the Centre and States to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment in all police stations and offices of central investigative agencies with the power to arrest and interrogate. These agencies included the CBI, NIA, ED, NCB, DRI, SFIO, and other similar bodies.
The objective was to curb custodial torture and protect the fundamental rights to dignity and life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The judgment had made it clear that surveillance systems must be operational in all spaces where accused persons are detained or interrogated.
Oversight Mechanisms and Public Awareness
To ensure effective implementation, the Supreme Court had mandated the creation of oversight committees at both State and district levels. These committees were tasked with monitoring the installation, maintenance, budgetary provisions, and repair of the CCTV infrastructure.
In a move to promote public awareness, the judgment had also required that large, clearly visible posters be displayed in police stations and the offices of the aforementioned agencies. These posters were to inform citizens that they were under CCTV surveillance and had the right to file complaints related to human rights violations. Specifically, individuals were to be informed of their right to approach the National or State Human Rights Commissions, Human Rights Courts, the Superintendent of Police, or any authority legally empowered to take cognisance of such offences.
Access to CCTV Footage for Victims
The court had further directed that all CCTV footage be preserved for a minimum period of six months. Crucially, any person alleging custodial abuse or human rights violations within the premises of a police station or central agency office was entitled to request and access the relevant footage to support their claims.
Renewed Scrutiny Over Implementation
Despite these comprehensive directions, the recent surge in custodial deaths has raised serious concerns about the implementation and enforcement of the court’s 2020 judgment. The court’s decision to reopen the matter signals a renewed effort to hold law enforcement agencies accountable and to revisit the mechanisms meant to safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights.
The matter is expected to be heard further in the coming weeks, with the court likely to seek detailed compliance reports from both the Centre and States.
