Supreme Court Rejects Plea for Mandatory CCTV in Police Stations and Holding Cells

Kathmandu. A writ petition demanding mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in all police offices and holding cells across Nepal and secure archiving of their records has been rejected (declared inadmissible) by the Supreme Court administration. The petition, which law student Vivek Chaudhary and others sought to file against the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, was declared inadmissible by Supreme Court Registrar Bhadrakali Pokharel on Thursday.

Petitioner Chaudhary had demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in all parts of government bodies that are responsible for investigating individuals held in police offices and detention centers across Nepal. The petition sought a mandamus to install technology that records both audio and video, with clear night vision, and to keep the footage secure for at least 12 to 18 months. It also demanded the creation of an integrated standard for maintaining digital records from the time of arrest.