Install CCTVs at all prisons in India: SC

On Friday, the court asked the central and state governments to install close-circuit cameras, or CCTVs, in all prisons in India within one year.

The court has also asked the states to identify police stations which are located in “sensitive areas prone to human rights violations” and install CCTV cameras there to protect jail inmates.

Pronouncing the judgement, Justice Thakur said that all the state governments must fill up the vacancies in the state human rights commissions within three months time.

The bench, headed by Justice T.S. Thakur, also directed every state and Union territory to immediately appoint non-official visitors who would carry out surprise inspections of prisons and police stations as a precaution against rights abuse in custody. The judgment also lauds the efforts of certain states like Bihar and union territories like Andaman & Nicobar islands and Puducherry where such cameras exist.

The bench, however, said that every police station must compulsorily have at least two women constables to deal with women suspects and accused.

The suggestions made by amicus curiae appointed by the Court to render assistance to it in the matter, namely senior lawyers Abhishek Manu and PK Mullick were also taken into consideration by the Supreme Court while passing orders in the petition. The directions came on a PIL filed in 1986 in which the court has earlier passed norms to be followed by police and other probe agencies in dealing with accused and suspects in jails, to check custodial torture and death.