Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to install CCTV cameras in all police stations and outposts by March 31, 2025, as part of efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement. This directive was issued in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) involving allegations of custodial abuse of a serving Army officer and his fiancée in Bhubaneswar.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho emphasized that the CCTV systems must be integrated with a Central Monitoring System (CMS) through a Video Management System (VMS). This integration will enable centralized oversight and real-time monitoring of activities within police stations, providing a robust framework to prevent misconduct.
The court also addressed the importance of following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for interactions with armed forces personnel at police stations. It directed the Odisha government to ensure that the SOP is disseminated across police stations and outposts in Odia to facilitate its effective implementation. The bench stressed that all police officers must be made aware of the SOP to uphold the prescribed standards of interaction.
During the hearing, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Dayal Gangwar informed the court that 96% of the state’s 645 police stations are already linked to the CMS at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack. This progress indicates the state’s commitment to modernizing its policing infrastructure in line with the court’s directives.
The High Court’s directives aim to safeguard citizens’ rights and enhance public trust in the police force by ensuring greater accountability. The mandatory CCTV installation and adherence to SOPs are significant steps toward curbing custodial misconduct and fostering a transparent policing system.
The Odisha government now faces a critical deadline to equip the remaining police stations and outposts with CCTV technology and ensure seamless CMS integration by March 31, 2025.
