HC seeks Centre, Delhi govt's reply on plea for regulating CCTVs

The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Centre, Delhi government and others on a plea seeking directions to draft a detailed regulatory framework for regulation of CCTVs in the national capital.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Union Home Ministry, Lieutenant Governor and Delhi Police Commissioner on the petition and sought their response by October 16.

The petition, filed by advocate Pavan Duggal, has sought a direction to the authorities to come up with effective mechanisms for efficacious enforcement of such regulatory framework in Delhi.

It also urged the court to pass a direction to the government and others to make Delhi scheme for regulation of CCTV cameras the basis for drafting and replicating CCTV cameras strategy in different parts of the country.

"Direct the respondents (authorities) to come up with appropriate and futuristic state specific CCTV cameras strategy which would protect the fundamental rights of citizens on one hand and while also ensuring that the protection of national interest, sovereignty, integrity or for public order, prevention of crime in general and crime against women in particular as integral elements on the other," it said.