Madras High Court questions Tamil Nadu police on CCTV retention compliance

Justice V. Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court has directed the state's Director General of Police to clarify whether all police stations across Tamil Nadu are adhering to the mandatory 18-month CCTV footage retention period. The directive comes amid concerns about compliance with existing judicial orders on the matter.

During proceedings, the judge emphasized that retaining footage for even a minute less than the prescribed 18-month period would amount to a direct violation of orders issued by both the Supreme Court and the High Court. This strict standard underscores the judiciary's position on the importance of maintaining unbroken video records from police stations.

The retention of CCTV footage at police stations has emerged as a critical issue, with courts viewing comprehensive video documentation as essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations. The 18-month mandate is intended to create a substantial archive that can be accessed for investigations, complaints, and judicial proceedings.

The Madras High Court's inquiry suggests that there may be instances of non-compliance among some police stations in the state, prompting the bench to seek concrete assurances from the police department. The clarification sought from the DGP is expected to establish whether systemic changes are needed to ensure uniform implementation of the footage retention requirements across all stations in Tamil Nadu.