"Privacy violation:" Former Chief Justice moves Punjab and Haryana High Court against CCTV at current Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha's residence

Former Chief Justice of the High Courts of Karnataka and Kerala, Justice NK Sodhi has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the removal of CCTV cameras installed in front of the P&H High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha’s residence..Justice Sodhi has also prayed for rules to be framed to regulate the installation of CCTV cameras in Chandigarh..Justice Sodhi resides opposite to the residence of Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha, where surveillance cameras have been installed. Justice Sodhi is aggrieved that the cameras installed at Chief Justice Jha's house invades Justice Sodhi's right to privacy in his residence as well..Justice Sodhi also made two representations seeking the removal of the cameras on March 22 and May 17 respectively. On receiving no response from Chief Justice Jha or the High Court, Justice Sodhi has now approached the High Court..The petition submitted that the cameras installed at Chief Justice Jha's residence can record persons and vehicles coming in and out of Justice Sodhi's residence as well, along with the front and side portion of his house. It is thus violative of the right to privacy extended to all Indian citizens as laid down in the Supreme Court's judgment in KS Puttuswamy vs. UOI, Justice Sodhi contended..“The installation and use of high resolution sophisticated CCTV cameras at the official residence of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of this Hon’ble Court is a direct invasion of the privacy of the Petitioner which is a fundamental right under Articles 14, 19, 21, 25 and 28 of the Constitution of India. It is a basic fundamental right.. Individual dignity and privacy are linked", stated the petition..Justice Sodhi also submitted that the Chief Justice is well protected both at his residence and at the High Court by way of the deployment of CRPF, sentries round the clock and travelling escorts. Therefore, the CCTV cameras are not needed to prevent any untoward incident, it is submitted..Further, the petition also highlighted the judgement of the Supreme Court in Indian Hotels & Restaurants vs. The State of Maharashtra where the requirement for installation of CCTV cameras in Dance Bars was struck down by the Court, for being privacy-invasive..While noting that Chandigarh does not have guidelines/rules framed for regulation of CCTV Systems, the petition stated that the NCT of Delhi recognised the fact that CCTV cameras can lead to an intrusion of privacy and thus, framed rules for the same..In view of the above, Justice NK Sodhi has urged the High Court to direct the removal or relocation of the CCTV cameras at Chief Justice Jha's residence and to direct to the State to frame rules regulating the installation of CCTV cameras in Chandigarh.