THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the installation of 24-hour CCTV cameras in all the police stations of the state, the third-degree torture and verbal abuse of police will come to an end. 13 cameras with microphones that accurately capture the noise at the station have been installed at each station. These cameras can also capture night visuals. This system can record the visuals and sound and store them for one and a half years.
Lock-up, entrance door, corridors, rooms of CIs and SIs, hall, duty officer's room, station premises, rear area, and rooms where accused are kept will be covered by camera surveillance. The cameras were installed following the order issued by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered that action should be taken to prevent even insignificant places from becoming centres of custodial torture.
The inverter ensures that the cameras continue to function even in the event of a power failure. The SHO bears the obligation of guaranteeing uninterrupted surveillance. In addition, if the cameras are off, SPs will know it. To prevent tampering, the video is encrypted. The video storage can be opened only using the secret password of the district police chief. If the camera is damaged, it will be repaired within six hours. There is already camera surveillance in the offices of top officials.
Evidence will not fade
1. Camera footage and audio clips will become key evidence in custodial torture cases. If there is a complaint, the Human Rights Commission and others can collect footage.
2. There is a court order that the victim has the right to demand footage of the interrogation if the investigating agencies have violated human rights.