Ranchi, Sep 24 The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday issued contempt notices to DGP Tadasha Mishra and Additional Chief Secretary Vandana Dadel for alleged non-compliance with its orders to install CCTV cameras in police stations across the state.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad was hearing a contempt petition on the issue.
The court had earlier directed the state government to ensure installation of cameras in all police stations and set December 31, 2025 as the deadline for compliance.
The government had repeatedly sought adjournments, but the order was not complied with, the court noted.
The bench also observed that the government had floated tenders four times but cancelled them for one reason or another.
The court warned that it would be constrained to pass “harsh orders” if state officials failed to perform their duties.
Advocate General Rohitashya Roy, appearing for the government, said tenders had now been floated to select companies for installation of CCTV cameras in police stations.
Mishra was present in court during the proceedings.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the non-compliance, the bench referred to custodial deaths in the state and observed that 427 such deaths had been reported since 2018.
“CCTV cameras have to be installed, which is also directed by the Supreme Court, but the government seems to flout the orders of the courts,” the bench observed.
The case will be heard next on October 15.
(PTI News)
