UPS Not Working For 1.5 Yrs Is 'Hogwash': Karnataka High Court Raps Police, Orders State-Wide Audit Of CCTV Systems

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (August 13) pulled up police authorities, including the Whitefield Police, over their explanation that the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) at the police station had remained non-functional for nearly one-and-a-half years, affecting the functioning of CCTV cameras during power outages.

Calling the explanation a “hogwash”, Justice Suraj Govindaraj stressed that installation of CCTV cameras pursuant to Supreme Court directions could not be treated as a mere formality without ensuring adequate power backup.

The Court was hearing a plea filed by V. Shailaja seeking CCTV footage to substantiate her allegations of illegal detention and torture at the Whitefield Police Station on September 4, 2024.

It has now directed the Principal Secretary, Home Department, to conduct a comprehensive audit of CCTV and backup systems across police stations in the State.

The Court also directed verification of BESCOM records to ascertain whether there was a power outage between 11 AM and 2.30 PM on the date of the alleged incident. It further emphasised that CCTV systems must function and record round the clock, with footage available for at least three months.

When the matter was taken up, the Additional Government Advocate (AGA), on instructions, submitted that the CCTV cameras at the Whitefield Police Station functioned when raw power was available. However, in the event of a power failure, they could function only if the UPS was operational. The AGA further informed the Court that the UPS at the station had not been working for nearly one-and-a-half years.

Unimpressed, the court orally remarked,

“…Your officers are saying we don't have UPS, CCTV not working…. You can't say that it is not working. If it's not, there must be a good enough reason for that one and a half years you are sitting on it…”

Calling the explanation a “hogwash”, the Court observed in its order that the very purpose of installing CCTV cameras in police stations would be frustrated if officers allowed the power backup system to remain non-functional for such a prolonged period.

"CCTVs across all police stations are directed to be installed by the Supreme Court to monitor the activities in police stations, on account of various complaints of atrocities committed in police stations. The very object of installation of CCTV would be frustrated if the SHO fiddles his thumbs saying UPS is not working for 1.5 years and the superior officers joining them. It was required for all concerned officers… to address the issue and make CCTV operational by providing adequate back up for CCTV.…. The installation of CCTV is not a mere formality.”

For context, flagging the failure of electronic infrastructure in police station, the Karnataka High Court had recently directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to submit a state-wide report detailing the installation and functionality of UPS systems at all police stations across the state.

On August 11, the AGA had filed two reports - one relating to the CCTV installation in Police Stations and the other regarding UPS implementation across the state.

The court noted that the report filed by the State indicating the number of CCTVs and UPS installed at the police stations had 'startling contradictions'.

The court noted that UPS was absent or not working in many cases and the total number of cameras installed were insufficient. Moreover, the UPS capacity was recorded as 1 KVA in some stations, and in several others, 0.5 - 0.6 KVA. In some cases, the CCTV was connected to the main UPS of the police station, the court noted.

The Court therefore directed the Principal Secretary, Home Department, to conduct a thorough audit and verification, including the number of cameras installed at each police station, availability of backup systems and recorders, UPS capacity, duration of available backup, and the nature of power failures in different areas to determine the backup required.

“…What is required to be achieved is CCTV working 24 hours, recording 24 hours, and footage available for 3 months in case someone complains…”, it remarked.

The matter is listed for further hearing on September 9.

Case Title: V Shailaja v. The Commissioner & Ors.

Case No: WP 3931/2026