[CCTVs In Police Stations] Punjab, Haryana Submit Timeline In High Court To Implement Supreme Court's Order

The Punjab and Haryana States have submitted a timeline in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to implement the order of the Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh and others, wherein, the State and Union Territory Governments were directed by the Apex Court CCTVto ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in each and every Police Station functioning under them.

The Bench of Justice Amol Rattan Singh was told by the State of Haryana that it would otherwise be bound to install all such CCTV cameras in police posts by 01.04.2022, however, due to the fresh outbreak of the pandemic, there may be some delay.

On the other hand, Punjab state submitted that CCTV cameras would be duly installed in all police posts of the State of Punjab by 10.05.2022. Also, UT, Chandigarh, submitted that all police stations and police posts in the UT, Chandigarh already stand equipped with cameras but up-gradation of the same in terms of the order of the Supreme Court would take about 05 months, but the UT is seeking 01 months 'buffer' in that regard.

These submissions were made in compliance with the HC's order of last month wherein it had sought the response of DGP, Haryana, the DGP, Punjab, as also the DGP, U.T., Chandigarh regarding the compliance of the Supreme Court's order in Paramvir Singh Saini's case.

In its order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had also made it clear that as per the directions of the Supreme Court, no part of the police stations should be left uncovered by CCTV surveillance and this CCTV Coverage would necessarily include the interrogation rooms.

Court's observations in its February 15 order

Referring to its earlier, the Court noted thus:

"...the uphill task faced by investigating agencies/police should not be lost on any Court and in fact, the extreme efforts they make to apprehend criminals, especially hardened criminals, is to be not just appreciated, but society needs to be grateful to them for that; yet, the rule of law as established, needs to be followed as is done all over the world in any civilized country, rather than shortcuts being taken in methods of apprehension and interrogation."

The Court further observed that India is the 5th or the 6th largest economy in the world and therefore, the Court added, the excuse of us not being as advanced as other countries is no longer available to us, unless we choose not to follow a more civilized method of apprehension and investigation.

With this, the Court adjourned the matter to February 21, 2022.

Appearances: Mr. Amandeep Singh Jawanda, Advocate for the petitioner (in CRWP No.5521 of 2021). Mr. Sourabh Goel, Advocate for the petitioner (in CRWP No.6437 of 2021). Mr. Bipin Ghai, Senior Advocate with Mr. Prabhdeep Singh Bindra, Advocate, and Mr. Rishabh Singla, Advocate for the petitioner (in CRM-M No.43672 of 2021). Mr. Deepak Sabherwal, Addl. A.G., Haryana and Mr. Neeraj Poswal, AAG, Haryana. Mr. P.S. Bajwa, Addl. A.G., Punjab and Mr. Manreet Singh Nagra, A.A.G., Punjab. Mr. Rajeev Anand, Addl. PP, UT, Chandigarh.

Case title - Kamla Devi v. State of Punjab and others along with connected pleas

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