CCTVs in govt schools? Court dismisses plea

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 12 

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a PIL against Delhi Government's decision to install CCTV cameras in classrooms in government schools and live stream the feed to students' parents.

"We are not inclined to entertain the petition," said a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

Filed by Amber Tickoo, a third year law student at National Law University, Delhi, the PIL had sought setting aside of the Delhi Government's decision of September 11, 2017 for installing CCTV cameras in classrooms and live streaming the CCTV feeds to the parents of children.

It had contended that these decisions of the government were in direct contravention of the verdict of the apex court which has unequivocally upheld the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

However, the Bench didn't accept the submissions made by petitioner's counsel that the installation and transmission of live feeds of CCTV to parents would infringe Fundamental Right to privacy as students were incapable to give consent and parents' approval had not been taken. Earlier, it had issued notice on the PIL challenging the government’s decision.