Jharkhand HC Issues Contempt Notices to DGP, ACS Over Police Station CCTV Delay

The Jharkhand High Court has issued contempt notices to Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra and Additional Chief Secretary Vandana Dadel for alleged non-compliance with its order directing the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across the state.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad was hearing a contempt petition concerning the implementation of the court's earlier directions.

The court had directed the state government to ensure CCTV cameras were installed in all police stations and had set December 31, 2025, as the deadline for compliance. However, the order has not been implemented despite repeated requests by the government for adjournments, the bench noted.

The court also observed that the government had floated tenders on four occasions for the installation work, but the process was cancelled each time for various reasons.

Expressing displeasure over the continued non-compliance, the bench warned that it could be forced to pass “harsh orders” if state officials failed to discharge their responsibilities.

Advocate General Rohitashya Roy, appearing for the state government, informed the court that fresh tenders had now been floated to select companies for installing CCTV cameras in police stations.

Mishra was present before the court during Thursday's proceedings.The bench also referred to the issue of custodial deaths in Jharkhand, observing that 427 such deaths had been reported in the state since 2018.

“CCTV cameras have to be installed, which is also directed by the Supreme Court, but the government seems to flout the orders of the courts,” the bench observed.

The court stressed the importance of CCTV surveillance in police stations, particularly in the context of custodial safety and accountability.

The contempt proceedings will be taken up next on October 15, when the state is expected to provide an update on the tender process and compliance with the court's directions.