The Telangana High Court’s division bench, led by Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N Tukaramji, heard a PIL regarding the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations across the state. The purpose of this is to reduce custodial deaths, human rights violations, and protect innocent people from police brutality. Rapolu Bhaskar, an advocate, informed the court that there have been instances of custodial deaths and human rights violations in police stations. Some police officers have been accused of harassing innocent individuals by fabricating false charges. Bhaskar also mentioned that lack of CCTV camera installations in police stations may be attributed to lockup deaths of innocent people.
The Government Pleader (Home department), M Roopender, informed the court that out of the 774 police stations in Telangana, CCTV cameras have been installed in 369 police stations. Work is currently underway to install CCTV cameras in 293 police stations, and plans are being made to install them in 103 more police stations. Roopender mentioned that in a Supreme Court case (SLP no. 3543/2023), the State has filed an affidavit providing details on the number of CCTV cameras installed in police stations. The Supreme Court is already monitoring the issue of installing CCTVs in all police stations across the country, so there is no need to continue the case in the High Court. The bench agreed with Roopender’s submission and closed the PIL.
In another matter, the division bench directed the Commissioner of the Panchayat Raj department to inform the court of the date by which the government will hold elections for the local bodies of zilla parishads, mandal parishads, and gram panchayats. Currently, there are vacant positions for 220 sarpanches, 94 MPTCs, four ZPTCs, 5,364 ward members, and 344 deputy sarpanch due to the non-holding of elections. This has resulted in a lack of welfare and developmental activities in districts, affecting people living in villages. The bench had previously issued notices to the Election Commission, Telangana State Election Commission, and the Commissioner of Panchayat Raj department to inform the court of the date for the local bodies elections. However, on Tuesday, the GP for the Panchayat Raj department requested more time as the Advocate-General Telangana will appear in this PIL and provide the information. The CJ stated that the Election Commission will hold elections once the State gives its clearance and adjourned the PIL to July 28.
In addition, the division bench issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development, and Managing Director of HMDA regarding the creation of a robust drainage system in Hyderabad. This is to prevent vulnerability to inundation and floods during the rainy season, which has resulted in loss of life and property. The court received an email from a concerned individual highlighting the need for a better drainage system in the city to protect lives. The hearing for this case was adjourned to August 22.
