Jharkhand High Court issues contempt notice over police CCTV delay

The bench of the Jharkhand High Court on Monday issued a contempt notice to the state police department after observing that the mandated installation of closed‑circuit television (CCTV) cameras in police stations remains incomplete. The court had earlier directed the police to equip all district‑level stations with functional CCTV systems to enhance transparency and accountability.
According to the court’s order, the delay violates the principle of judicial authority and may attract punitive action if the installation is not accelerated within a stipulated timeframe. The notice demands a detailed progress report and a concrete timeline for completing the remaining installations.
Legal experts note that such contempt proceedings are rare but underscore the judiciary’s commitment to modernising law‑enforcement infrastructure. The police department has been asked to comply promptly to avoid further sanctions.
The High Court’s intervention reflects growing concerns over security lapses in police stations and the need for real‑time monitoring to deter misconduct and protect citizens.
The matter remains under observation, and the court will review compliance in its next hearing.