The Supreme Court was informed on August 5 by the Union that an umbrella scheme for modernization of the entire police force across the country is under consideration. The same has been sent to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for in-principle approval.

The Union further stated that the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernization of Police (ASUMP) scheme has been extended till March 31, 2027.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was apprised of the developments by ASG Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare during the hearing of the suo motu case taken up over lack of functional CCTVs in police stations.

The ASG stated that the proposed scheme will be on similar lines as the ASUMP scheme. Hearing the submission, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, the Amicus Curiae in the matter, flagged that under the ASUMP scheme, the States/UTs started asking for gypsies, etc., whereas modernization of police force should entail provision of advanced gear, scientific methods of investigation, etc.

Justice Mehta concurred that modernization should entail provision of high-tech equipment to the forces. The matter was adjourned asking the ASG to file an affidavit with details of the scheme.

Background

On September 4, 2025, the Court called for registration of a suo motu case in the public interest with regard to the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations. A bench of Justices Nath and Mehta took the action based on a report published by Dainik Bhaskar, as per which around 11 people died in police custody in the last seven to eight months this year.

Prior to that, in December 2020, the Court had mandated in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh that all State and Union Territory Governments should ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in each and every police station functioning under them. However, compliance remained patchy, with many cameras either not installed or lying defunct.

On September 15, 2025 the Court expressed in the suo motu case that it was considering independent monitoring of the CCTV cameras in police stations without any human intervention, as even if CCTVs are installed in compliance with the Court's earlier directions, the same can be switched off by officials.

On September 26, 2025, an order was passed putting 12 queries to the State of Rajasthan, including whether regular audits are carried out to ensure the functioning of CCTVs. The Court further asked the government to state the period for which CCTV footage of police stations is preserved. It also questioned whether there is a provision for surprise inspections and forensic validation of tamper-proofing.

On October 14, 2025, the Court questioned the Rajasthan government as to why there were no CCTV cameras in the interrogation rooms of its police stations. Further, the Court called on the state to explain its stance on the 11 deaths stated to have occurred in police custody over the past 8-9 months. Justice Mehta also emphasized that the police station camera feeds have to go to some centralized agency, as footage of CCTVs installed on roads goes to command centres in Rajasthan, so that if a camera goes off, someone is notified and remedial steps are immediately taken.

In January, 2026, the Court emphasized that mere installation of CCTVs in police stations is not enough - they should also work perfectly. In April, the Court directed personal presence of the Union Home Secretary for assistance in issuance of directions for monitoring of CCTVs in police stations. It was also asked as to why other states/UTs were not adopting the 'Kerala model' of live monitoring. Later, the Attorney General appeared and assured that positive steps would be taken within 2 weeks.

Case Details :

(1) IN RE LACK OF FUNCTIONAL CCTVS IN POLICE STATIONS Versus, SMW(C) No. 7/2025

(2) PARAMVIR SINGH SAINI Versus BALJIT SINGH, SLP (Crl) No.3543/2020 (and connected cases)

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