Preserve CCTV footage or face action: Gujarat Information Commission to police
In an order issued on July 19, the commission clarified that if an RTI (Right To Information) application is received by a police station within 30 days of an incident, the CCTV footage of that matter must be preserved.
"Failure to preserve the recording will lead the commission to initiate proceedings for disciplinary action and penalty under Section 20 of the RTI Act and appropriate action under the Gujarat Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1971," the panel warned in its order.
A resident of Ahmedabad's Naroda area had filed an RTI application seeking CCTV footage from Shaher Kotda Police Station to obtain evidence of alleged misconduct against him.
When he did not receive the relevant information from the police station, he filed an appeal with the Information Commission.
During the hearing of the appeal, a representative of the Public Information Officer (PIO) claimed before the panel that the CCTV footage in question could not be provided to the applicant as it got deleted due to a "technical fault".
The officer further claimed that though a technical expert was roped in to retrieve the data as directed by the commission, the footage could not be recovered.
Commenting on the response, the commission noted applications seeking CCTV footage of police stations are being received by the panel frequently.
"However, the Commission has observed that such CCTV footage is hardly provided to the applicants" the order said.
A 2022 circular issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) mandates that CCTV footage must be preserved until the disposal of the second appeal of an RTI applicant, it pointed out.
Furthermore, the commission noted the Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) had also issued similar instructions in the past and directed police officials to preserve the footage till the disposal of the second appeal.
The commission stated that the purpose of installing CCTV cameras will only be served only if the GAD circular and departmental instructions are strictly followed.
"Despite such instructions, police station officers or staff refuse to provide footage by citing excuses, which is not proper," said the panel.
The commission directed the DGP to issue a fresh order asking police officials concerned to strictly adhere to the previous circular on preserving CCTV footage.
The commission warned the State Public Information Officer (PIO) and the First Appellate Authority (FAA) will be liable for penalty and disciplinary action under Section 20 of the RTI Act if they fail to provide the footage to applicants.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
BCI no to foreign law firms, flags ‘joint' entities as well
CHENNAI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has flagged some foreign law firms which are operating in India as if they are joint entities with Indian law firms and has warned lawyers and firms that what is directly barred by Indian law should not be attempted in any indirect manner. In a press statement on Tuesday, the BCI said: 'Entities functioning as 'Indian-Foreign Law Firms,' as defined under Rule 2(vi)(b) and Rule 2(vii), are required to be registered prior to the commencement of any activity that could be interpreted as the practice of law. Any arrangement that creates a joint platform, uses a unified brand, involves co-branding of legal services, or results in shared client servicing without registration is in contravention of the Rules. ' The statement was issued as two entities -- Dentons Link Legal and CMS INDUSLAW -- engaged in conduct violative of the applicable Indian legal and regulatory framework, it said, adding, 'the Council has issued separate showcause notices to the entities concerned and individuals involved in the aforementioned arrangements.' The statement further said: 'Pending adjudication, the council further cautions that any continuation of public or professional activity under the names such as 'Dentons Link Legal', 'CMS INDUSLAW', or any similar branding or structure, without prior registration and approval from the BCI, may be treated as a prima facie violation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Any persistence with such models may be considered an aggravating factor in determining liability. ' 'The BCI has noted with grave concern that certain foreign law firms, in association with Indian law firms, are holding themselves out as unified or integrated global legal service platforms. These combinations are often structured through Swiss Vereins, strategic alliances, exclusive referral models, or joint branding initiatives, which are then publicly promoted under combined identities (e.g., Dentons Link Legal and CMS INDUSLAW), thereby portraying to clients and the public at large a de facto integrated legal practice across jurisdictions, including within India. ' 'The Council affirms that such structures, if implemented and operationalised without prior registration under the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2023 (as amended in 2025) (hereinafter, the 'Rules'), are impermissible. The Rules, clearly set forth the prerequisites, procedural formalities, and substantive requirements for any Indian-Foreign law firm collaboration, including registration, disclosure, governance, and ethical compliance,' it said. 'The Council reaffirms the settled legal position established by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the year 2018 in Bar Council of India v. A. K. Balaji & Ors. The Court has held that foreign law firms cannot do indirectly (through an alliance, combination or arrangement) what they are prohibited from doing directly. To put it plainly, if an individual foreign lawyer is barred from practice in law in India, a group of lawyers or firm (by any name) is equally barred from doing so as a collective,' it said. The expression 'practice of law' is not restricted to courtroom advocacy but includes providing legal advice, preparing legal documents, contract drafting, negotiations, and all other related services, the statement said. The Supreme Court further clarified that foreign firms or lawyers must not render such services unless they submit themselves to the Indian regulatory architecture under the Advocates Act and the BCI Rules, it added. In this regard, the council clarified that foreign lawyers and law firms can practice in India in a regulated manner, only with respect to foreign law and international law, and not in Indian Law and nor in litigation. 'The Council remains committed to protecting the sovereignty of India's legal system while also promoting ethical and lawful cross-border legal cooperation,' it said.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Caste killing: investigation will be completed in 60 days, Tamil Nadu government informs High Court
The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that the investigation in the caste killing of Kavin Selvaganesh would be completed in two months. The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by S.M.A. Pon Gandhimathinathan of Thoothukudi district, who had sought a direction for a CB-CID probe, to be monitored by a Tirunelveli District Judge. More relief sought The petitioner had also sought a direction to the government to provide an adequate compensation of ₹50 lakh under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules to the family of the deceased and to bring in a separate Act to prevent 'honour' killings. He said the accused, Surjith, the brother of the girl Kavin loved, and his father Saravanan, a sub-inspector, had been arrested, while Surjith's mother, Krishnakumari, also a sub-inspector, had not been arrested yet. (The accused belongs to the Most Backward Caste). According to the petitioner, Chandrasekar, father of Kavin, had alleged that inspector of police Kasipandian had earlier threatened Kavin with dire consequences and acted in a biased manner in favour of the family of the accused. Given the fact that the parents of the accused are sub-inspectors and given the role of Kasipandian, a District Judge should monitor the investigation, the petitioner said. Additional Advocate-General M. Ajmal Khan submitted that the investigation would be completed by the CB-CID in 60 days and the final report would be filed. An interim compensation of ₹6 lakh had been handed over to the family. A case was booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. No offender would be allowed to go scot free, it was submitted. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete said the CB-CID had started the investigation and the petitioner had not raised any serious allegation against the investigating team. Giving a direction at this point of time would affect the independence of the investigating officers, the Bench said, posting the matter for further hearing after eight weeks. Panel reviews action In Tirunelveli, the Chairperson and Members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes met Tirunelveli Collector R. Sukumar and top police officers on Tuesday to review the action being taken following the murder of Kavin Selvaganesh. He was killed on July 27. The eight-member Commission, led by its Chairperson Kishor Makwana, met the Collector, top police officers, and the heads of various departments. Dr. Sukumar explained the circumstances that led to the murder and the action taken by the police. The police also presented a report based on their investigation. Inspector-General of Police, Social Justice and Human Rights, B. Shamoondeswari; Tirunelveli City Police Commissioner Santosh Hadimani; Deputy Commissioners of Police Vinodh Shantharam and Prasanna Kumar; District Revenue Officer M. Suganya; and other officials took part at the meeting. The Commission members had planned to visit the spot where Kavin was murdered. But the plan was dropped. After the meeting, they went to Arumugamangalam to meet the family of the deceased.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab DGP reviews anti-drug campaign, security ahead of I-Day
Chandigarh, Punjab Police chief on Tuesday chaired a state-level meeting with officers to review the ongoing anti-drug campaign, the overall law and order situation, and the internal security landscape across the state. Punjab DGP reviews anti-drug campaign, security ahead of I-Day Director General of Police Punjab, Gaurav Yadav held meetings with all range inspector generals of police, commissioners of police, and senior superintendents of police. Special DGP Arpit Shukla, Special DGP Praveen Kumar Sinha, ADGP Anti-Narcotics Task Force Nilabh Kishore, ADGP Anti-Gangster Task Force Promod Ban, and ADGP Counter-Intelligence Amit Prasad were also present in the meeting. During the meeting, senior officers briefed the field officers on critical issues such as cross-border drug trafficking, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, organised crime networks, and key law and order concerns. "We also reviewed the progress of the state-wide anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', launched on March 1, 2025, and discussed strategic interventions to strengthen this ongoing war against drugs," said DGP Yadav in a statement. He asserted that the ANTF's dual approach, aggressive enforcement on the ground and robust, community-led prevention, would create a drug-free and secure Punjab. Sharing the outcome of the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, he said that the Punjab Police has registered 15,671 FIRs and arrested 24,639 drug smugglers since March 1. Police have recovered 1,020 kg of heroin, 330 kg of opium, 21 tonnes of poppy husk, 14 kg of charas, 377 kg of ganja, 3.3 kg of cocaine, 31.74 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and ₹12.25 crores cash from their possession. During the meeting, the DGP also reviewed the state-wide preparedness for upcoming Independence Day celebrations and directed all field units to remain on high alert and ensure foolproof security arrangements. "Security arrangements were reviewed and suitable instructions have been given to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensifying domination operations and other preventive and detective measures ahead of forthcoming Independence Day celebrations," Yadav said. He also directed police officers to conduct a manpower audit of all police establishments and pull out police personnel from non-core duties to ensure a visible police presence, especially in crowded places. He also directed the district police chiefs to increase police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles. The DGP said apart from the ongoing decisive war against drugs, action against organised crime, gangsters, and Pak-sponsored terror activities has been the Punjab Police's topmost priority and perpetrators in all the major cases have been identified. Meanwhile, police conducted a cordon and search operation at and around all the district and sub-divisional courts across the state to ensure foolproof security arrangements at all the judicial complexes. The checking was conducted simultaneously in all the districts of the state. Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that the police officers were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient numbers of police teams to carry out checking under the supervision of Superintendent of Police rank officers. He said police officers were also asked to conduct checks of all suspicious persons in and around the court complex, besides carrying out checks of all the vehicles parked around the complex by using the Vahan app. He said police teams were also asked to make sure that door frame metal detectors and CCTV cameras installed at the premises of judicial complexes are functioning. Shukla said police teams have frisked as many as 694 suspicious people found roaming around the court complexes. As many as 1,160 vehicles stationed at different parking places around the court premises were also checked, during which police teams issued 129 challans and impounded four vehicles. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
