Madras HC Seeks DGP Report on CCTV Footage Storage at TN Police Stations
Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu DGP to report on CCTV footage preservation at police stations, per Supreme Court's 18-month rule.
The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) to file a report on whether CCTV footage recorded at police stations across the state is being retained for the mandatory 18-month period.
The directive follows the Supreme Court's earlier order requiring all police stations in the country to preserve CCTV recordings for at least 18 months. The High Court's move comes amid concerns that the rule may not be uniformly followed in Tamil Nadu.
The DGP has been asked to explain the current status of compliance and submit a detailed response. The court's intervention underscores the importance of video documentation in ensuring transparency and accountability in police functioning.
CCTV footage is often critical evidence in cases involving custodial violence, false encounters, and procedural lapses. The Supreme Court had mandated the storage period to ensure that recordings remain available for judicial scrutiny when required.
The Madras High Court's order now places the onus on the state's top police officer to verify and report on ground-level implementation. The response is expected to clarify whether all stations have functional cameras and whether recordings are being archived as per the prescribed timeline.