Delhi Police informs HC about number of CCTVs installed at police stations

The city police on Friday told the Delhi High Court that installation of CCTVs has been completed in 170 police stations of the national capital. Lawyer Rahul Mehra, representing the police, told a bench headed by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat that "the installation and commissioning of CCTV camera systems have been completed in 170 police stations".

The bench asked the Delhi Police to submit a certificate of an independent agency concerned mentioning whether the CCTVs are functional or not. The Delhi Police's submission came while appraising the status of the installation and commissioning of CCTVs at its 182 police stations and 53 police posts.

The court was hearing public interest litigation initiated after the December 2012 gangrape with social activist Ajay Gautam seeking installation of CCTVs at police stations to ensure transparency. Lawyer Mehra said that the renovation work is in progress in eight police stations in which wiring and other works have already been completed and cameras will be installed within 10-15 days of the completion of renovation work.

The lawyer also told the court that the remaining four police stations relate to Metro Unit of the Delhi Police, which is functioning from a single room. Hence, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Metro, Delhi has been requested to identify the locations for the installation of CCTVs in these police stations and get the same installed as per requirement. "The work of cabling/wiring in all the 53 police posts has been completed and required material has been supplied by the firm," the police said assuring that the work is likely to be completed by the end of this month.

The police said that as regards lighting on public streets in vulnerable areas and dark spots, although it is not the primary duty of the Delhi Police to rectify the faulty street lights, the Delhi Police has forwarded the complaints of faulty street lights to civic authorities for rectification. The bench directed the Delhi government and civic agencies to hold a meeting regarding a discussion on the framework of street light issues. The court also asked the government to file a report over the meeting and listed the matter for further hearing on March 20.

(With inputs from agencies.)