Jharkhand Launches Major CCTV Installation Drive Across All Police Stations
The Jharkhand Agency for Promotion of Information Technology (JAP-IT) has officially commenced a comprehensive initiative to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in every one of the state's 606 police stations. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of Rs 134 crore, is slated for completion within a strict timeframe of four months, marking a significant step towards enhancing security and transparency in law enforcement facilities.
Project Details and Implementation Timeline
According to official sources, JAP-IT recently floated a tender for the installation work and conducted a pre-bid meeting on Tuesday to gather feedback from potential bidders regarding the terms and conditions. The scheme mandates the placement of cameras in key areas, including rooms, custody rooms, officer-in-charge's rooms, as well as the exterior and rear sections of each police station. To ensure comprehensive coverage, three distinct types of cameras will be deployed: bullet cameras for wide-angle views, dome cameras for panoramic coverage, and rotating cameras to monitor the entire campus effectively.
Background and Legal Mandate
This initiative follows a directive from the Jharkhand High Court in November 2025, which ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations. The order was issued by then Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Shoubik Banerjee. Banerjee had approached the court after allegedly being detained for two days in a cheque bounce case, highlighting the need for increased oversight. The home department has already submitted a detailed list specifying the number of cameras required for each police station, based on a thorough survey conducted prior to the project launch.
This move is expected to bolster accountability and safety within police stations, aligning with broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and uphold judicial mandates in Jharkhand.
