CCTVs Installed In 99% Police Stations, Footage To Be Preserved For 18 Months: TN Govt Tells Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought the formulation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the proper management of CCTV footage recorded inside police stations. The plea emphasized the need to establish clear guidelines for preserving, protecting, and maintaining such recordings to ensure their availability when required.

The petitioner had argued that CCTV surveillance in police stations plays a crucial role in safeguarding human rights, as it serves as evidence in cases of alleged custodial violence, misconduct, or rights violations by law enforcement personnel. The plea underscored the importance of retaining CCTV footage for a reasonable period so that it can be accessed when needed for investigations, legal proceedings, or accountability measures.

However, the court, after considering the matter, decided to close the PIL, possibly on the grounds that adequate measures were already in place or that the issue had been addressed by the authorities. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier informed the court that 99% of police stations in the state were equipped with CCTV cameras and that steps had been taken to ensure the footage is preserved for 18 months.

By closing the PIL, the court effectively concluded that no further intervention was necessary at this stage. However, the issue of CCTV surveillance in police stations remains significant in the larger discourse on police accountability and human rights protection.