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The court expressed deep concern over 11 custodial deaths in Rajasthan in eight months. The two-judge bench, Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, said in the case, “The country will no longer tolerate such incidents. This is a blot on the system. Deaths in custody cannot happen.”
Supreme Court
New delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a strong remark, stating that violence and deaths in police custody are a "major blot" on our system and that the country will no longer tolerate it under any circumstances.
What is the matter?
The Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu case related to the malfunctioning of CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. The court expressed deep concern over 11 custodial deaths in Rajasthan in eight months. The two-judge bench, Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, said in the case, "The country will no longer tolerate such incidents. This is a blot on the system. Deaths in custody cannot happen."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that no one can justify deaths in custody. However, the court was displeased that the central government had not yet filed its compliance report. The court sharply questioned this, asking, "Why is the central government taking this court lightly?" The central government then promised to file an affidavit within three weeks.
Old CCTV Installation Orders and Slow Progress
In 2018 and 2020, the Supreme Court ordered the installation of full-coverage CCTV cameras and recording systems in all police stations and offices of central agencies such as the CBI, ED, and NIA. However, the court was informed that only 11 states have submitted their reports so far. Several states and several central departments have not yet provided any information. CCTVs have been installed in three central agencies, but others are still lagging behind.
Supreme Court Praises Madhya Pradesh
The Supreme Court said that Madhya Pradesh has done exceptionally well, with every police station and outpost connected live to the district control room. The bench praised this.
The American example and discussion of 'open air prisons'
During the hearing, the American model was mentioned. There is also live CCTV streaming and some private prisons. The Solicitor General informed the court that a suggestion had recently been made to build private prisons using CSR funds. The court stated that it was already considering a case on the open air prison model, which could mitigate issues such as overcrowding and violence in prisons.
Strict warning from the court
The court ordered that states and union territories that have not yet submitted their reports must submit their information within three weeks. If reports are not submitted, the Principal Secretary of the Home Department of those states/union territories will be required to appear before the court. The court warned the central government that if central agencies do not comply, their directors will be summoned. The court listed the entire matter for December 16th. By then, all states, union territories, and the central government must submit their reports.
