More than 450 custodial deaths since 2018, four rounds of tendering and repeated court directions have failed to ensure the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across Jharkhand, prompting the high court to issue show-cause notices to the state’s top officials.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad on Thursday sought explanations from the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to comply with the court’s orders. The officials have been directed to file their replies before the next hearing on October 15.
The court expressed displeasure over the government’s failure to implement its directions, observing that the state appeared unwilling to comply and was attempting to delay the matter instead of placing the actual position before the court through an affidavit.
‘CCTV an essential safeguard’
During the hearing, the bench referred to the state’s record of more than 450 custodial deaths since 2018 and questioned why CCTV surveillance remained absent from police stations despite repeated judicial directions.
The court observed that CCTV cameras are not merely a technological facility but an essential safeguard for people in custody, helping monitor police action and ensure accountability. It termed the continued failure to install them deeply unfortunate.
The bench also questioned why the government had failed to implement the system despite initiating the tender process four times. It took strong exception to the DGP attributing responsibility for CCTV installation to the home department, describing the response as irresponsible.
Court criticises ‘evasive’ affidavit
The bench further criticised the state’s affidavit, observing that it appeared to evade the actual issue rather than disclose the status of implementation.
The court indicated that failure to comply with judicial directions, coupled with the non-disclosure of the actual position, warranted fixing accountability on the officials concerned.
The DGP had previously faced a contempt notice in the matter, with the court seeking an explanation for non-compliance with its earlier directions.
Case stems from alleged custodial assault
The proceedings originated from a complaint alleging the custodial assault of Tarun Mahto, a former Ichagarh Assembly candidate, following which the high court took suo motu cognisance.
Mahto, who contested the 2024 Assembly election on a Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha ticket, was allegedly taken to Ichagarh police station on the night of November 19, 2025, where he was subjected to assault and “third-degree” treatment, according to the complaint.
His wife subsequently wrote to the Chief Justice alleging custodial torture, prompting the court to initiate proceedings.
Author
Related Stories
Most Read
- 1Argentina’s ‘Vanishing Sea’: Rare Low Tide
- 2Effect of the 12 August 2026 Solar Eclipse on the 12 Zodiac Signs, Know Who Will Benefit and Who Will Have to Be Careful
- 3HC finds peon’s dismissal over tea and biscuits amounted to ‘injustice’
- 4Brace for 29 June: a Capricorn Full Moon, Mercury retrograde and Jupiter’s leap into Leo
- 5Japan Coach’s Whiteboard Tactics Go Viral at FIFA World Cup
