Shillong, June 19 (IANS) The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to furnish comprehensive details regarding the installation and functioning of CCTV cameras in police stations across the state, including the Laban Police Station in the city.

The court issued the directions while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning police accountability and transparency, officials said on Friday.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh passed the order during the hearing of a PIL filed by petitioner Kishan K. Nongkynrih. The court directed the state government to submit an affidavit within four weeks detailing the status of CCTV surveillance infrastructure in police stations.

The affidavit is expected to include information on the number and location of cameras installed, the extent of coverage within police premises, and the duration for which footage is stored in the system.

“The affidavit shall set out the data with respect to CCTV cameras installed in the Laban Police Station as well as other police stations in the State of Meghalaya, their locations and the memory of the footage, among other details,” the bench observed in its order.

During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General K. Khan, appearing on behalf of the state government, sought additional time to place the required information before the court.

The bench allowed the request and directed the state to file its affidavit-in-reply within the stipulated period.

The court further instructed that an advance copy of the affidavit be furnished to the counsel representing the petitioner to ensure effective consideration of the matter during the next hearing.

In a separate direction, the bench asked the petitioner’s counsel to serve a copy of the PIL and the latest court order on the concerned respondent to facilitate appearance through legal counsel on the next date of hearing.

The PIL pertains to issues related to police accountability and compliance with judicial guidelines regarding surveillance and monitoring mechanisms in police stations. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on July 24.

–IANS

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