Khushi Bajpai
Published on: 30 July,2022 at 18:50 IST
In order to refute false claims made by inmates claiming beatings at the hands of jail staff, the Delhi High Court has ordered the director general of prisons, Tihar, to install CCTV cameras inside the offices of the superintendent and deputy superintendent.
Further Sessions Monu, an inmate, filed a complaint with Judge Sonu Agnihotri of Saket courts, claiming that in March of this year, he was tied to an iron jholla and beaten for almost an hour inside the deputy superintendent’s office at Tihar jail.
The court noted that similar claims had been made in other cases and that there had been two instances of allegations regarding the beating of inmate Monu in the Tihar jail coming up in the office of the deputy superintendent.
The Court believed that installing CCTV cameras in the offices of senior jail officials would not only disprove any untrue accusations against them but also demonstrate the openness with which such offices are run.
Since these rooms are frequently used to accommodate dignitaries and visitors, including as judicial officers and top government officials who visit prisoners and hold meetings with the jails officials, the DGP of Tihar jail advised against putting CCTV cameras there.
Additionally, it was mentioned that CCTV cameras had been put in every corner of the administrative block’s gallery area and the control room, thereby covering the exterior of these spaces. In case an unfortunate incident takes place in one of these rooms, it was said, existing CCTV cameras outside can readily determine what happened.
While not requiring audio recording in the offices, the court stated that even if dignitaries visited for official business, it would not be a basis to forgo installing it in those offices.