Tanya Gupta
Published on: March 16, 2022 at 19:16 IST
The Bombay High Court expressed that from the next week, relevant Authorities will be assigned the task of Random CCTV Footage Checking to ensure the Installed Cameras at various Police Stations across Maharashtra are properly Functioning.
A Bench led by Justices Milind Jadhav and SJ Kathawalla directed the Contractors entrusted with the task of Installing CCTV Systems to ensure those Non-Functional Systems are Repaired by March 22.
About the Case
The Court was hearing Somnath Giri’s Petition. After being served with a Notice Under Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code by Nashik Police, he approached the High Court.
The Petition alleges the Discriminatory and Arbitrary Acts of the Police.
The Court asked for the CCTV Footage of the Police Station when it was informed by the Police that the other Party was also served with a similar Notice on the same day.
However, Since the CCTV was not Functional, there is no Footage available, Police informs.
Court Proceeding
As per the Directions of the High Court in the last Hearing on March 11, 2 Contractors informed the Bench that they have prepared an Undertaking to resolve the issue of Installed but Non-functional CCTV’s across 547 Police Stations in Maharashtra.
However, the Court enunciated its intention that instead of Undertaking from some Employees, the Court wants it from the Directors.
The Court’s demand was agreed upon by the Companies.
The Undertaking state that the Maharashtra Director General of Police can take an action in case of a Breach and the Deposits will be Revoked if a Fault is discovered or if the CCTV Systems are found to be unmaintained.
The appointed Amicus Curiae proposed that a Clause should be added in the Undertaking which States that in the Case of Breach of Undertaking, Contempt will be initiated.
The Lawyer further added that Cabling Work should also have a mention in the Undertaking and that no further Extension will be Granted.
“There are many things coming in the Press because of which all Work that we had done in the Last 25 Years is going to Waste,” one of the Company Owners stated.
Justice Kathiawala replied,
“Let the Press do their Job. We will do our Job. You do your Job.”