As many as 23.48 per cent of the total custodial deaths in the country in the last 15 years took place in the state, the division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode said, citing the statistics provided by National Crime Records rpt Records Bureau.
The court directed that CCTVs be put up in all the police stations, and a compliance report be filed within four weeks.
"We direct the state government to immediately install CCTVs and maintain them in every corridor and room of the police station so that every part of the police station is under surveillance," the bench said.
The HC also directed that tapes of CCTV recording should be preserved for a minimum of one year.
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The senior police inspector or in-charge of the police station will be responsible for ensuring that CCTVs are operational.
Advocate Yug Chaudhary, appointed as amicus curie (friend of the court) to assist the court, said in most cases of custodial death, the victim is found to have been detained illegally, never produced before the magistrate.
The court directed that this provision should be "scrupulously followed in letter and spirit." Immediately after the arrest, relatives of the accused should be informed of arrest and reason.
"Safety, health and well being of the accused will be the responsibility of the arresting officer, investigating officer and the station house officer," court observed.
If any accused in police custody is found to be injured, he shall be immediately taken to nearby hospital and provided "best medical attention". Also, the injuries should be photographed, the court said.