After seeing the delay in installing CCTVs at police stations, the Bombay High Court addressed the Maharashtra administration, "Has anyone bothered to read the Supreme Court's directions?" [Somnath Laxman Giri and Anr. v. State of Maharashtra and Anr.]
Justices SJ Kathawalla and Milind N Jadhav of the Supreme Court questioned the status of their installations in police stations and what work had been performed since the Supreme Court ruling.
The High Court was dissatisfied when the Advocate General (AG) Ashutosh Kumbhakoni announced that he will present the Supreme Court's compliance report to this Court.
"This paper compliance is not going to serve any purpose. What was the work that was carried out? That is what we want to know," the Bench remarked.
The Bench maintained its prior observations that CCTVs were intentionally left unusable so that information regarding police stations might be kept out of the hands of the courts.
“Nothing is done and no orders of the High Court or Supreme Court have been followed. ‘Naam k vaaste’ (namesake) CCTVs are put. They do not want to show the court anything. Whenever we have asked for CCTV footage in police stations, it is never given, never! The whole purpose of passing the Supreme Court order is lost, and it is done intentionally, we can say this candidly,” the Bench said.
On Monday, the AG cited the State's affidavit as evidence of how contractors were chosen and the cost factor for the installation project justified.
After reviewing the work that had been done, the Bench noted that it had only been started after the Court had issued directions.
“Why are we required to pass an order? Are the CCTVs installed as per them SC directions. Priority is complete the work where it is not done,” the Bench said.
During a previous hearing, the Bench was informed that the state has 1,089 police stations. There have been 6,092 cameras deployed in 547 police stations so far. There were 5,639 functioning cameras and 453 non-functional cameras in total.
The Bench wanted to know about the police stations where CCTVs weren't working and what procedures had been taken to notify contractors about the problems.
“Tell us when did the contractors attend to the complaints after being informed of the issue” the Bench added adjourning the hearing by a week.