The Union government has told the Supreme Court that a proposal for the modernisation of police forces has been sent for in-principle approval and is currently awaiting a decision from the Finance Ministry. The submission was made in response to the court's suo motu proceedings over non-functional CCTV cameras in police stations, an issue the court has linked to a spike in custodial deaths in recent months.
The Supreme Court had initiated the proceedings on its own, taking cognizance of the malfunctioning cameras. The government, during the hearing, said the modernisation scheme has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry for in-principle approval. The proposal remains with the ministry, and the court has been informed of its status.
The court is examining how the non-operational CCTV cameras may have contributed to the rise in custodial deaths. The matter is being monitored by the bench, which is looking into the adequacy of surveillance infrastructure in police stations. The government's response was recorded in court, and further proceedings will likely follow once the Finance Ministry takes a decision on the proposal.
The development underscores the court's concern over transparency in police operations and the need to address gaps in monitoring systems. The court's proceedings continue as it awaits the Finance Ministry's response.