Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Plea Alleging Non-Compliance With SC Directions For CCTVs In Police Stations During Arrest, Interrogation
The Delhi High Court has issued notice on a plea alleging non-compliance with the Supreme Court's directions mandating installation and maintenance of CCTV cameras in police stations and other investigative offices, particularly during the arrest and custodial interrogation of an accused.
A Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shail Jain sought responses from the State and other authorities, directing that replies be filed within three weeks.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 30.
The petition contends that the petitioner's arrest and custodial interrogation stood vitiated due to admitted non-compliance with binding directions issued by the Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh and subsequent orders concerning functional CCTV systems in police establishments.
It is alleged that no functional CCTV cameras were installed at the concerned police unit at the relevant time, and that the mandatory requirement of reporting the petitioner's arrest and interrogation to the District Level Oversight Committee was also not complied with.
The plea further asserts that such non-compliance amounts to a violation of the petitioner's fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution, which guarantee protection of life and personal liberty and safeguards against arbitrary arrest.
In addition to seeking a declaration that the arrest and custodial interrogation are illegal, the petitioner has also sought directions for production of records evidencing compliance with the Supreme Court's guidelines, and in their absence, an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
The petition also seeks strict and time-bound enforcement of CCTV installation and monitoring mechanisms across police establishments, along with action against officials who allegedly filed false affidavits regarding compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.
Appearance: Mr. Karan Verma, Ms. Nayan Maggo, Mr. Yuvraj Singh, Advs. for Petitioner; Mr.Sanjay Lao, Standing Counsel (Crl.) with Ms.Priyam Agarwal, Mr.Abhinav Kr. Arya, Mr.Aryan Sachdeva, Advs. for R-1 alongwith Insp.Praveen Kumar, SI Rajendra Kumar, ANTF/Crime Branch. Mr.Neeraj Kumar, CGSC with Mr.Shashwat, Adv.for R-2.
Case title: Ajay v. State
Case no.: W.P.(CRL) 724/2026