SC seeks meeting to discuss CCTV funds for police stations, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court directed a meeting regarding the use of central funds for CCTV installation in police stations.
• The central government provides full funding for CCTV installations in Union Territories and covers a significant portion in other states.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the issue to address concerns about custodial torture and ensure transparency in police stations.
• The central government funds CCTV installations, covering 90% of costs for hilly states and 60% for other states, with the remaining funded by the states.
• In 2015, the Supreme Court mandated CCTV cameras in jails and suggested their use in police stations and lock-ups.
• A 2020 order directed the installation of CCTVs and recording equipment in offices of central agencies with interrogation and arrest powers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Suo Motu Cognizance: The power of a court to take up a matter on its own, without waiting for a formal complaint.
• Custodial Torture: Torture or ill-treatment of a person while in police custody.
• CCTV: (Closed-circuit television) A video surveillance system used for security and monitoring.