The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 4) initiated suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) following a newspaper report highlighting the absence of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across India. 

The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, noted that 11 deaths were reported in police custody in Rajasthan alone over the last 7-8 months in 2025. This prompted the apex court to take immediate cognisance of the issue.

Despite clear directives, many police stations continue to lack functional CCTV cameras or have footage missing, often hindering investigations and accountability. Police agencies have frequently cited technical issues or the unavailability of footage as obstacles in cases involving custodial abuse. The apex court’s suo motu action underscores the ongoing gaps in compliance and enforcement.