Don't encroach on privacy while installing cameras: HC to police

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the city police to install within two months CCTV cameras at vulnerable areas identified by it, without encroaching upon "privacy of people".

A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked police to install CCTV cameras in public areas but said privacy of people should not be affected.

Police had earlier told the bench that CCTV cameras will be installed at vulnerable points within the jurisdiction of 44 police stations where the crime graph against women was high.

"Delhi Police have identified 44 police stations on the basis of crime mapping where graph of crime against women is higher. We expect that CCTV cameras will be installed within two months," the court said.

"When CCTV cameras are installed, special regard be given to privacy issue of people. The cameras be installed in public areas and no private property be encroached for this," it said, posting the matter for May 20.

The bench had earlier asked Delhi Police to formulate an action plan to put up CCTV cameras in the city for the safety of women as per the crime mapping exercise after advocate Meera Bhatia asked the court not to remove the CCTV cameras which were installed during the visit of US President Barack Obama in January.

The court has been monitoring women's safety in the capital after it took suo motu cognizance of the December 16, 2012, gang rape.

The bench also directed the central government to expeditiously approve the proposal by Delhi Police for induction of over 16,000 additional personnel, including a dedicated force for crime investigation.