On a High Court order, Punjab has installed CCTV cameras in all police stations to keep an eye on officials and a check on custodial abuse and misbehaviour with the public, if any. The cameras have been installed at the entry and exit points, women’s lock-ups and Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff premises.
“The idea is to ensure the protection of fundamental rights of citizens and bring transparency in the workings of the police. Till January, 459 locations (422 police stations and 37 CIA staff premises) in the state were covered,” said Prabodh Kumar, Director, Bureau of Investigation. “The footage can be monitored from the control room in the SSP’s or Commissioner’s office. If anyone alleges delay in lodging a complaint, it can be authenticated from the CCTV footage,” he said.
Every month, sub-divisional police officers have to send a report to the higher authorities, certifying that all CCTV cameras in their jurisdiction are functional. The Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) in every district has been made the nodal officer for the project.
The police say CCTV cameras will help them get vital clues in custodial death cases. A case in point is the suicide of a Muktsar man while in custody last month.
The CCTV footage established that Narinder Singh, in-charge of the CIA staff in Faridkot, disposed of the body of Jaspal Singh (24) of Mukstar after he allegedly ended his life in custody. A few hours later, Narinder died of a gunshot wound in his office. The only concern is the CCTV footage is not tampered with, say reports. Some officers are wary of being under surveillance. “Criminals are getting out of bounds, while police hands are being tied,” a policeman deployed in the CIA wing said.
