Delhi High Court Directs Police To Ensure Compliance Of Supreme Court's Order On CCTV Cameras In Police Stations

The Delhi Police has informed the Delhi High Court that it is working expeditiously to conclude the tender process for installing CCTV cameras in police stations in the national capital as per directions of the Supreme Court in Paramveer Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh.

The Apex Court in Paramveer Singh Saini had directed that CCTV cameras must be installed with a storage period of 18 months.

The submission was given in a status report filed in a plea seeking direction to the Delhi Police and Delhi Government to ensure that CCTV cameras installed in police stations are functional with audio recording facility.

In January, the court was informed that out of the 1941 CCTV cameras, 30 were not operational and that the Delhi Police was working towards upgradation of the existing cameras. It was also said that 2175 additional cameras will be installed in police stations.

It was also stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 18, 2022 had accorded its approval for inviting fresh E-bid after certain modification in the previous E-bid for installation of CCTV cameras.

In a status report filed on February 27, the Delhi police has said that on February 23, the fresh tender was opened and 12 firms submitted their bids in the. It added that the tender is now at the evaluation stage.

“Delhi Police is working on commencing the tender process expeditiously,” the affidavit states.

During the course of hearing, the counsel appearing for Delhi police submitted that the Supreme Court on February 21 in a matter raising similar issue directed all the State governments to file a status report on compliance of directions

Observing that the Supreme Court is “completely seized of the matter”, the court disposed of the plea and ordered:

“In view of the above, let the bids be evaluated and the orders ... be placed before the successful bidders expeditiously to ensure compliance of directions of the Supreme Court.”

It added: “Since the issue is being monitored by Supreme Court, no further orders are required to be passed. The petition is disposed of.”

The court however said that the petitioner will be free to avail remedies in law, if any, in future in accordance with law.

The court was earlier informed by the police that the Special Committee had recommended that a Voice Tag (microphone with power supply) can be attached with the existing 1941 cameras installed in the police stations. 

It was also stated that the Committee mentioned that there is a need of additional 2175 cameras to be installed which will include audio and video recording as mandated by the Supreme Court.

The petition was filed by one Chandril Dabas through Advocate Manan Agarwal.

Title: CHANDRIL DABAS v. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELHI & ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 191