CCTVs in police stations: Jharkhand yet to install a single camera, Himachal only state to receive Centre’s funds
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Context
A report by amicus curiae Siddhartha Dave to the highlights slow progress in implementing the 2020 mandate to install CCTV cameras in police stations to curb custodial violence. While some states like have received funds under the scheme, others like Jharkhand haven't installed a single camera, and concerns exist over the scheme's potential lapse before full implementation.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
This issue highlights the critical role of the in safeguarding fundamental rights, specifically (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). The 2020 mandate (Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh) to install CCTVs was a proactive step to ensure transparency and accountability in police functioning, addressing the persistent issue of custodial torture. The appointment of an amicus curiae (friend of the court) demonstrates the judiciary's mechanism to monitor the execution of its directives. The slow compliance by states underscores the challenge of translating judicial pronouncements into effective governance action on the ground, often due to bureaucratic inertia or resource constraints.
Governance
The situation reflects the complexities of cooperative federalism in India. The (ASUMP) scheme is a central initiative aimed at upgrading state police infrastructure. However, the varying levels of progress—from receiving funds to states like Bihar and Kerala not even submitting proposals—reveal disparities in state-level administrative efficiency and prioritization. The impending lapse of the ASUMP scheme raises concerns about the sustainability of such central interventions and highlights the need for states to allocate adequate resources from their own budgets, as demonstrated by states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, to fulfil constitutional mandates and ensure effective law enforcement.
Internal Security
Modernizing police infrastructure is crucial for effective internal security management. The lack of CCTVs not only hampers efforts to prevent custodial violence but also weakens the overall investigative capacity of law enforcement agencies. A well-equipped police force, supported by technology like centralised dashboard monitoring systems, is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring a robust criminal justice system. The delay in implementing the directive undermines efforts to create a professional and accountable police force, which is a prerequisite for addressing contemporary security challenges and upholding the rule of law.