Overview
The Supreme Court on April 28, 2026 directed a high‑level meeting to be held on May 6, 2026 to examine how State governments are using central funds allocated for installing CCTVs in police stations.
Key Developments
- Bench composition: The matter was heard by a two‑judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
- Amicus curiae involvement: Siddhartha Dave, a senior advocate, is assisting the Court as amicus curiae in a suo motu proceeding concerning the lack of functional CCTVs in police stations.
- Meeting participants: The Court ordered that the Home Secretary of the Centre (or a nominee not below the rank of Joint/Additional Secretary) and the Home Secretaries of all States/Union Territories must attend.
Important Facts
The Court observed that despite earmarked funds, many police stations across the country still lack operational CCTVs. The directive aims to create a coordinated mechanism for monitoring fund utilisation, ensuring that the allocated resources translate into functional surveillance infrastructure. The meeting on May 6 will serve as a platform for the Centre and sub‑national governments to present utilisation reports and discuss implementation bottlenecks.
Exam Relevance
This development touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas. Under GS 2 (Polity), it illustrates judicial activism through a suo motu petition, and highlights centre‑state coordination mechanisms involving the Home Secretary. From a GS 3 (Security) perspective, the push for functional CCTVs underscores the role of technology in internal security and crime prevention. The issue also reflects governance challenges—budget allocation, monitoring, and accountability—relevant to both GS 2 and GS 4 (Ethics).
Way Forward
- States and UTs should submit detailed utilisation reports of the CCTV fund before the meeting.
- The Centre may issue standard guidelines on CCTV specifications, maintenance, and periodic audits.
- Regular joint reviews involving the Home Secretary and state counterparts can ensure compliance and address operational gaps.
- Capacity‑building programmes for police personnel on CCTV operation and data management should be incorporated into the funding framework.
Effective implementation will not only enhance surveillance in police stations but also set a precedent for collaborative governance in security‑related projects across India.