ANDHRA PRADESH: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered the creation of an advocate-led commission to audit CCTV camera installations in at least 10 randomly selected police stations statewide, following conflicting reports over coverage at the Vijayawada cybercrime unit.
Dispute Over Number of Cameras Prompts Judicial Action
The court intervened after the police stated the Vijayawada cybercrime station was equipped with 10 CCTV cameras, while a judicial magistrate reported only one functioning unit. The disparity raised concerns about transparency and data accuracy in police operations. A bench led by Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and Sumathi Jagadam expressed scepticism toward the police explanation and instructed the petitioner’s lawyer, Thandava Yogesh, to submit a sealed list of 10 stations for the commission’s inspection.
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Oversight Mechanism Under Supreme Court Framework
This latest ruling builds on earlier directions requiring the Director General of Police (DGP) to draft an implementation plan for installing and maintaining CCTV systems in police stations and jails, with visible monitoring bodies at the state and district levels. Under Supreme Court precedent, effective CCTV usage hinges on reliable camera presence, encryption, storage, and oversight. The proposed commission is set to examine footage quality, camera locations, and storage integrity across the state’s police infrastructure.
The court set the next hearing for July 22, when it will formally appoint the commission. “An independent audit is vital to restore public confidence,” the judges emphasised.