The Karnataka High Court has voiced its dissatisfaction with the State government’s justification regarding non-functional CCTV cameras at a Bengaluru police station, attributing the issue to a power outage and lack of backup power. This comes in light of the Supreme Court’s 2020 directive mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations across the country.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, presiding over the case V Shailaja v The Commissioner, criticized the State’s stance, labeling it a ‘mockery’ of the Supreme Court’s order. He remarked, “This is a mockery of the order, and you submit a report that you complied with the Supreme Court order. An affidavit filed in the Supreme Court claims that every police station is equipped with fully operational CCTV cameras, functioning 24 hours. The only logical conclusion is that the malfunction suited your purpose, which is why no action was taken for 1.5 years.”
The Court emphasized that the intent behind installing CCTV cameras is compromised if they are allowed to remain non-operational during power outages. Justice Govindaraj stated, “This situation affects not only the police but everyone, as it undermines the Supreme Court’s directive.”
On August 13, the Court instructed the State authorities to conduct a comprehensive audit of CCTV systems and their power backup across all police stations in Karnataka. Justice Govindaraj directed the Home Department and Police Computer Wing to create a State-level IT system to monitor the functionality of CCTVs in all police stations.
The Court was addressing a petition related to the unavailability of CCTV footage from Whitefield Police Station concerning an alleged incident on September 4, 2024. The petitioner claimed a police officer used excessive force during the incident. She appeared in-person, asserting that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) made inconsistent statements about the power supply at the police station during the time in question.
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Additional Government Advocate (AGA) Shamanth Naik admitted that the CCTV system at Whitefield Police Station relied on mains electricity, with the UPS being non-functional for nearly 1.5 years, including the incident date. The AGA informed the Court that inverters were installed last year, but the battery only served specific areas of the station.
The Court questioned the absence of CCTV footage on the cloud, with the AGA responding that the lack of mains electricity resulted in the CCTV being turned off during the incident. However, a body camera video from an inspector was available and was requested by the Court.
The Court observed that the Station House Officer was negligent for not ensuring the UPS’s functionality. The Court asserted that responsible officers must act promptly to repair or replace malfunctioning equipment to uphold the purpose of continuous surveillance and accountability.
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A report reviewed by the Court revealed discrepancies in the status of UPS systems across police stations in Karnataka, with many listed as ‘nil’ instead of ‘not working,’ suggesting an attempt to present a false sense of compliance.
The High Court directed top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the Home Department, to personally investigate and ensure a detailed inquiry covering all police stations and establishments. The audit is to assess the number and positioning of cameras, functionality, recording capabilities, storage options, UPS capacity, and response to power failures.
Specifically, the Court ordered an investigation into the power supply at Whitefield Police Station on the incident date, requiring records from Bangalore Electric Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) and an assessment of the functioning of CCTV and UPS during the relevant period.
The Court also tasked the Police Computer Wing with developing a State-level IT system to monitor CCTV systems, ensuring a centralized dashboard for real-time status updates and alerts for offline equipment. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 9, with Advocate GB Sharath Gowda representing the Commissioner and the Karnataka State Information Commission.
