Court Observes Prima Facie Bureaucratic Red Tape and Abdication of Responsibility by State Authorities in Compliance with Judicial Directions; Contempt Proceedings Loom Large
The Jharkhand High Court, in a suo motu public interest litigation (W.P.(PIL) No. 7197 of 2025), has expressed serious concern over the persistent delay and non-compliance by the State Government in installing CCTV cameras in police stations, a judicial mandate aimed at curbing custodial deaths. The bench comprising Chief Justice Mr. M.S. Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad observed an alarming pattern of procrastination, bureaucratic blame-shifting, and tender cancellations by the State authorities, which prima facie amounted to a deliberate attempt to flout court orders.
The court took cognizance of the affidavit filed by the Director General of Police (DGP) Jharkhand, which for the first time explicitly stated that the DGP does not possess independent authority to direct the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations, instead shifting responsibility to the Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department. This stance was viewed by the court as an abdication of responsibility and indicative of systemic bureaucratic red tape.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Court referred to earlier judicial proceedings (W.P.(PIL) No. 1218 of 2022) that revealed a staggering 427 custodial deaths in the State from 2018 to 2026. Despite this distressing figure, the installation of CCTV cameras-a critical safeguard against custodial violence-has not been implemented in a timely manner. Instead, the court noted a recurring modus operandi involving the inviting and subsequent cancellation of tenders, which effectively stalled progress.
The Court has now issued a show-cause notice to Ms. Vandana Dhadel, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department, directing her to explain why action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, should not be initiated against her for this continued non-compliance. The notice was prompted by the DGP's affidavit that sought to place the blame on her department for the delays.
Further, the Court has called upon the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand to personally assume responsibility and file an affidavit providing a clear timeline for the completion of CCTV installations. The court explicitly rejected affidavits filed on behalf of contractors or third-party agencies like JAP-IT, emphasizing the need for direct accountability at the highest administrative level.
The Advocate General for the State requested time until October 14, 2026, to file an affidavit detailing the timeline for compliance. The Court scheduled the next hearing for October 15, 2026, expecting concrete progress and accountability.
This judgment sends a stern message to the Jharkhand Government regarding the imperative need to adhere to judicial directions, particularly in matters impacting human rights and custodial safety. The installation of CCTV cameras in police stations is not merely a procedural formality but a critical measure to safeguard detainees against torture, custodial violence, and unlawful deaths. The Court's proactive steps towards initiating contempt proceedings underscore the judiciary's intolerance towards bureaucratic inertia and systemic delay in implementing human rights protections.
Bottom Line:
Installation of CCTV cameras in police stations - Continued non-compliance with judicial directions in backdrop of alarming custodial deaths - High Court found prima facie systematic delay and blame-shifting by State authorities - Show-cause notice directed against Additional Chief Secretary for possible contempt and Chief Secretary directed to assume responsibility and file affidavit.
Statutory provision(s):
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Court on its Own Motion v. State of Jharkhand, (Jharkhand)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2995528
