High Court Directs State Government to Complete CCTV Installation in All Courts

The High Court has made it clear that providing infrastructure in courts across the state is the responsibility of the state government. It directed the government to complete the installation of CCTV cameras in all courts in accordance with the Supreme Court’s orders, irrespective of budgetary allocations. The bench observed that nearly seven years had passed since the Supreme Court issued its directions and warned that failure to implement them could amount to contempt of court. It also expressed displeasure over the delay and said the government should not bring the matter to a point where further judicial directions become necessary. The bench directed the Special Government Pleader to submit the latest status of the CCTV installation process and adjourned the hearing.

The orders were passed on Wednesday by a bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Lisagil and Justice Challa Gunaranjan while hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Tandava Yogesh. The petitioner argued that the state government had failed to implement the Supreme Court’s directions to install CCTV cameras in all courts. The High Court’s standing counsel, N. V. Sumanth, submitted that funds had been released on January 12 this year, but a fresh government order was required because the financial year had ended. He said tenders would be invited once the funds were released. Special Government Pleader Yatindra Dev informed the court that the file seeking budget approval was with the Finance Department. The bench expressed dissatisfaction with these explanations and reiterated that the state government must ensure the installation of CCTV cameras in courts.