Installation of CCTV cameras at vital points in all Police Stations
Oversight Committees framed but action pending
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 13: Due to dilly-dallying approach of the concerned authorities, the directions of the Supreme Court regarding installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at vital points in the Police Stations across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have yet not been implemented. Moreover, Oversight Committees have failed to start acting on the Terms of Reference even after the lapse of several months.
In Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No.3543, the Supreme Court, while dealing with the issue of photography and videography of the crime scenes, vide order dated December 2, 2020 asked all the States and Union Territories to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in each and every Police Station.
“In order to ensure that no part of a Police Station is left uncovered, it is imperative to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed at all entry and exit points, main gate of the Police Station, all lock-ups, all corridors, lobby/reception area, all out-houses, Inspector’s Room, Sub-Inspector’s Room, areas outside the lock-up room, station hall and outside washrooms and toilets”, the Apex Court further said.
The order further read: “The CCTV systems that have to be installed must be equipped with night vision and must necessarily consist of audio as well as video footage. The internet systems must also provide clear image resolutions and audio. Most important of all is the storage of CCTV camera footage which can be done in digital video recorders and or network video recorders. The Station House Officer be made responsible for CCTV data maintenance, backup of data and fault rectification etc”.
“The objective behind these directions of the Apex Court was to keep watch on the functioning of the police personnel at Police Station level and to keep record of use of unwarranted force against the accused of different crimes during the interrogation”, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
However, despite lapse of several months no headway has been made towards the implementation of the directions of the Supreme Court despite the fact that copies of the order were forwarded to Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary Home Department of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, they said.
Only action which has been taken by the J&K Government on the directions of the Supreme Court is framing of Union Territory Level and District Level Oversight Committees, which have not started acting on the Terms of Reference despite lapse of several months.
The Union Territory Level Oversight Committee headed by Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department and comprising of Director General of Police, Member Secretary, Mission Director ICPS/SRCW, Social Welfare Department and Additional Secretary to the Government, Finance Department is supposed to ensure purchase and monitor distribution/installation of CCTV cameras and related equipments.
The Terms of Reference also include arranging budgetary allocation; monitoring maintenance and upkeep of CCTVs and allied equipment; carry out inspections and address the grievances received from District Level Oversight Committees (DLOCs) and call for monthly reports from the DLOCs and immediately address any concern like faulty equipment.
Similarly, the District Level Oversight Committees headed by concerned Divisional Commissioner and comprised of Chairperson(s) of the District Development Council(s), District Magistrate(s) and Superintendent(s) of Police is supposed to supervise the maintenance of CCTVs and related equipments.
The Terms of Reference of DLOCs also include seeking inputs from the concerned Station House Officers; send monthly reports to UT Level Oversight Committee about the functioning of CCTVs and allied equipments and to review footage stored from CCTVs in various Police Stations to check for any human rights violation that may have occurred but are not reported.
“The inaction on the part of Oversight Committees clearly indicates that Government is least interested in implementing the directions of the Supreme Court which otherwise are very important in order to keep watch on the functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Police Station level”, sources said.
They stressed that Government should ensure that Oversight Committees start acting on the Terms of Reference in order to implement the directions of the Apex Court.
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