Delhi High Court asks State government, SHO to explain why CCTV in police station does not have audio

The Delhi High Court has sought explanation from the State government and Station House Officer (SHO) of a police station to explain why CCTV cameras installed there do not have audio..Justice Anu Malhotra was dealing with a petition by the Imam of Dargah Hazrat Khwaja Baqi Billah, Paharganj seeking a direction to Police to conduct an impartial in-depth inquiry into the alleged hindrance being cause to him during performance of his official and religious duties.The court was told that the ‘self-styled caretaker’ who was illegally managing the mosque had threatened him and subjected him to inhumane treatment in presence of the SHO and the entire incident was captured on CCTV.The plea sought a direction to SHO of Police Station Nabi Karim to secure and preserve the CCTV footage with both audio and video especially inside the SHO’s office..However, the counsel appearing for the State informed that the audio footage of the day is not available.The judge then noted that the Supreme Court has expressly directed that the CCTVs equipped with night vision and audio should be installed in the Police Stations and important locations in its premises.“In the circumstances, the respondent Nos.1 (State) and 2 (Police) shall explain as to why the audio footage has not been installed so far and the compliance of the installation of the audio footage in terms of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini (Supra) be placed on record without default by the State for the next date of hearing,” the court directed..The matter will now be considered on July 27..Advocates M. Sufian Siddiqui and Alya Veronica appeared for the petitioner.Additional Standing Counsel RS Kundu, along with advocates Pooja and Agniwesh Singh appeared for State and the SHO.Advocates MM Singh and Jitendra Kumar appeared for one of the accused..[Read Order]