Allahabad High Court Says Police-Station CCTV Must Function 24x7, Missing Footage Can Trigger Adverse Presumption

The Allahabad High Court said CCTV cameras in police stations must remain functional around the clock and that authorities must document steps taken to restore any system that stops working.

Background and issue

The Allahabad High Court said CCTV cameras in police stations must remain functional around the clock and that authorities must document steps taken to restore any system that stops working. Justices Atul Sreedharan and Divesh Chandra Samant were hearing a petition alleging illegal detention at Gauri Bazar police station. The Court noted that relevant footage was unavailable and that the Station House Officer had not reported the malfunction or promptly restored power. It indicated that absence of footage or proper documentation may support a presumption of illegal detention. The ruling strengthens CCTV preservation as an accountability safeguard in cases involving disputed police custody.

Legal significance

The legal effect is confined to the judgment, order or procedural development reported here. Allegations, party submissions and oral observations are not treated as established facts unless expressly decided.

What follows

The matter proceeds according to the operative directions, statutory process or further hearing identified above.

Source: Original report