Custodial torture: SC raps govt. over CCTV compliance, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court criticized the Centre for not complying with the 2020 directive to install CCTV cameras in offices of agencies like the CBI, ED, and NIA to prevent custodial torture.
• The court expressed shock over reports of 11 custodial deaths in Rajasthan within eight months.
• A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta initiated a suo motu re-examination of compliance by States, Union Territories, and the Centre to the 2020 judgment.
• The court has ordered that the Directors of the three Central agencies and Principal Home Secretaries of the remaining States and Union Territories would have to personally respond if compliance is not filed before the next hearing on December 19.

Detailed Insights:

• The 2020 Supreme Court judgment mandated the installation and maintenance of CCTV cameras in police stations and offices of central law enforcement agencies with interrogation powers.
• The court's 2020 order in Paramvir Singh Saini versus Baljit Singh aimed to safeguard the fundamental right to dignity and life by deterring custodial torture.
• Only 11 States and Union Territories have filed compliance reports, while the Centre has not filed one, prompting the court to question the Union's seriousness.
• The Supreme Court suggested exploring open correction centers to alleviate prison overcrowding and reduce financial burdens, referencing similar systems in the United States.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Custodial Torture: Torture inflicted by law enforcement officials on individuals in their custody.
• Suo Motu: An action taken by a court on its own accord, without a request from either party.
• Fundamental Right to Dignity and Life: A basic human right enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring protection from inhumane treatment.