"There is a need to remind ourselves that rights of individuals is the citadel of democracy and every violation would be an attack on civilized society," Justice Shampa Sarkar said in the order.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed that CCTV cameras should be installed in every part of police stations including interrogation rooms as per the mandate of the Supreme Court judgment
Why even CCTV cameras in police stations won’t guarantee justice for victims of custodial violence In the absence of clear legal mechanisms ensuring access and transparency, it will be impossible to hold the police accountable. A Delhi Police CCTV control room. | Prakash Singh/AFP
On January 27, the Supreme Court has called for responses from all states and Union Territories on its judgement ordering that CCTV cameras be installed in police stations to ensure accountability for torture and custodial violence. These directions, intended to further the fundamental right to life under Article 21, were passed on December 2 in Paramvir Saini v Baljit Singh. They also extended to the offices of investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, the National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate.