People’s Watch, a human rights organisation based in Madurai, urged the State government to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in all police stations.Its Executive Director Henri Tiphagne said eight custodial death cases had been reported in Tamil Nadu within the completion of 100 days in office by the TVK-led government.He said to address this menace, the Supreme Court in 2020 ordered all police stations and investigative agencies in the country, including the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the NIA and other investigating agencies to install CCTV cameras.The Supreme Court directed the State governments to ensure that all police stations have CCTV cameras with night vision and 18 month storage capacity. CCTV cameras should be installed in the station including entry and exit points, the main gate, lock-ups, corridors and lobbies, with posters at the entrance stating that the station is under CCTV surveillance. The Supreme Court directed the DGP to instruct the Station House Officers to ensure the proper functioning, storage and maintenance of the CCTV cameras, he said.The Madras High Court found that Tamil Nadu was lacking in compliance and directed the government and the DGP to adhere to the Supreme Court’s mandate. However, People’s Watch’s data show that not all police stations in Tamil Nadu have fully operational CCTV cameras, he said.The State government should immediately direct the DGP to order all police stations to adhere to the directions of both the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court, he said. Published - August 25, 2026 10:43 pm IST