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The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded multiple States and the Union government for failing to comply with its 2020 judgment requiring the installation of functional CCTV cameras with night vision in all police stations and central investigation agency offices. The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta took suo motu cognizance following reports of 11 custodial deaths in Rajasthan within eight months, highlighting a serious systemic issue.

Justice Mehta noted the absence of compliance affidavits from many States, including Kerala, and expressed surprise at the Union government’s failure to file its affidavit. He sarcastically referred to Kerala, known for administrative efficiency, as shirking its responsibility. Madhya Pradesh was commended as a model State for fulfilling the Court’s directions.

The Court affirmed that mere filing of affidavits is insufficient; actual compliance is necessary to prevent custodial violence. The Bench granted three more weeks for pending affidavits and warned that home department Principal Secretaries of non-compliant States must personally appear and explain the delay.

The Court also discussed prison reforms, suggesting open-air jails to reduce crowding and financial burden. The next hearing is scheduled for December 16.

The directions follow the landmark 2020 ruling in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh mandating CCTV and audio recording in police stations, requiring footage to be available in cases of custodial abuse and human rights violations.