200 of 473 CCTV cameras non-functional in Panchkula, Human Rights Commission seeks report
Report sought from the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation and the Commissioner of Police
As 200 out of 473 CCTV cameras in Panchkula are non-functional, the Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance and has sought a report from the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Panchkula, and the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula.
The Human Rights Commission observed that “despite prior communications and concerns raised by the traffic police for timely repair and maintenance, the issue appears to persist, indicating a lack of prompt administrative action”.
It added that the CCTV cameras served as a “critical tool not only for traffic management but also for maintaining law and order”.
The Commission commented, “Non-functionality of such a large number of cameras seriously compromises the ability of law enforcement agencies to monitor public spaces, track offenders, and respond effectively to incidents such as theft, snatching and other criminal activities.”
The bench comprising Chairperson of Human Rights Commission, Justice Lalit Batra (retd), Member Judicial Kuldip Jain, and Member Deep Bhatia observed that the “failure to maintain functional surveillance infrastructure prima facie affects the right to life, safety and security of citizens as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India”. It added that “administrative inaction in ensuring operational public safety mechanisms may amount to a violation of human rights”.
The Commission has sought a report from Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Panchkula, on the number of CCTV cameras installed with location, number of functional and non-functional cameras, reasons for non-functionality and steps taken so far for repair, replacement or upgradation, and also whether any responsibility has been fixed for the lapse.
From the Commissioner of Police, a report has been sought on the impact of non-functional CCTV cameras on “traffic enforcement and challan issuance, comparative data on challans (manual vs CCTV-based) for the last three years, impact on crime detection, investigation, and monitoring of public spaces, and alternative mechanisms adopted to ensure traffic regulation and public safety”.
The next date in the case is May 20.
