CCTV cameras to be installed in all Mumbai police stations

All police stations in Mumbai are set to be brought under a proposed network of CCTV cameras, a move that will check custodial deaths and encourage citizens to freely approach police for filing complaints.
Maharashtra Home Department is in the process of formulating a plan to install CCTV cameras all over the financial capital in a bid to strengthen security apparatus. It is now considering to extend the network to cover all police stations.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi today said there are 99 police stations in Mumbai and a minimum of five cameras would be needed in each of them.

"The CCTVs can cover the area outside the police station, lock-up, main hall where the citizens come to file complaints. Such a system will help check custodial deaths and allow activities in a police station to be monitored by higher ups. The officer concerned in a police station better not misbehave with the citizens," he said.
"This step will give immense confidence to the aggrieved citizens, who otherwise appear reluctant to approach the police, and get their grievances addressed. They appear unwilling because they don't know how they would be treated at the police station," he said.
Bakshi said a total of 6,000 CCTVs are proposed to be installed in Mumbai. "If the police stations are covered, around 500 additional cameras would be required. This would entail extra financial burden of around Rs 16 to Rs 20 crore (Rs 7 to 8 lakh per police station)."

Bakshi said he has asked Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria to submit a proposal in this regard.
"The work is being done expeditiously and I should get the proposal with a fortnight's time," he added.
The top Home Department official said said Pune would also be covered under the network and that city's police chief is expected to submit his proposal in a month's time. "For Pune, the additional financial burden would be about Rs 2 crore," Bakshi added.