The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued strict directions to ensure that CCTV cameras installed at police stations remain operational at all times and that their recordings are preserved for at least 18 months. The court said merely installing cameras is not enough and stressed the need for adequate storage, power backup and regular monitoring.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal issued the directions while hearing a petition related to an NDPS case registered at Gaurela police station in GPM district. The petitioners, including accused Banwari Lal Gupta and three others, had sought CCTV footage from the police station along with mobile call detail records and tower-location data.

The accused claimed that police had allegedly kept them at the police station a day before the incident. They sought CCTV footage from September 13 to 15, 2024, to support their claim.

CCTV footage had been deleted

During the proceedings, the trial court was informed that the requested CCTV footage was no longer available because the system had automatically deleted it after the completion of its 18-month storage period.

After examining the records, the High Court observed that when the footage itself was no longer available, an order directing authorities to produce it could not be passed. The court subsequently rejected the petition filed by the accused.

However, the case prompted the bench to issue broader directions concerning the functioning and preservation of CCTV systems across police stations in the state.

Cameras must remain operational

The High Court emphasised that CCTV cameras at police stations must remain operational continuously. Authorities must also ensure sufficient storage capacity and uninterrupted power backup so that recordings are not lost because of technical or administrative failures.

The court stressed that electronic evidence should not be destroyed because of negligence. If CCTV recordings are lost due to administrative or technical lapses, responsibility should be fixed on the officials concerned and appropriate action should follow.

18-month recording requirement

The court referred to the Supreme Court's directions concerning CCTV surveillance at police stations and said recordings should be preserved for a minimum period of 18 months.

The requirement is significant because CCTV footage can become important evidence in cases involving allegations of detention, custodial treatment, interrogation and other police procedures. Maintaining the recordings also strengthens transparency and accountability within the police system.

₹102.10 crore CCTV project

The state government informed the High Court that work is underway on a ₹102.10-crore project to strengthen CCTV infrastructure across 550 police stations in Chhattisgarh.

Under the proposed monitoring mechanism, district-level committees will inspect CCTV systems at police stations every month. They will also ensure that arrangements are in place to preserve the required 18-month recording backup and submit reports regarding the functioning of the systems.

The High Court directed that a copy of its order be sent to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for compliance.

Focus on transparency and accountability

The bench observed that CCTV surveillance in police stations is intended not only to monitor police functioning but also to protect citizens' rights. Continuous recording and proper preservation of footage can provide an independent electronic record when disputes arise over events inside police premises.

The court has therefore directed the state authorities to ensure 100 per cent compliance with the Supreme Court's CCTV guidelines, including regular monitoring, adequate storage and reliable power backup.