The Madras High Court’s Justice V. Lakshminarayanan has directed the Director General of Police to clarify whether CCTV footage in police stations is kept for 18 months. He warned that retaining it for less than 18 months would breach Supreme Court and High Court orders.

  • The High Court has asked the DGP to confirm if CCTV footage is retained for 18 months.
  • Retention less than 18 months violates Supreme Court and High Court directives.
  • Coimbatore V&AC office currently retains footage for only 15 days.

The Madras High Court, through Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, issued a directive demanding clarity on whether CCTV footage from police stations in Tamil Nadu is retained for 18 months. The order followed a senior counsel’s submission that the Coimbatore Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption (V&AC) office stores footage for only 15 days.

The DGP must submit a detailed report by 10 September 2026. The judge emphasized that even a minute less than 18 months would constitute a breach of the Supreme Court and High Court orders, which previously assured preservation of footage for 18 months.

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The issue arose when Sub Inspector A. Saravanakumar was accused of demanding a bribe in a smuggling case involving 1,250 kg of rice. He petitioned the court to secure V&AC CCTV footage from 15 to 15 October 2025 to prove a false corruption complaint, but the V&AC reported that its DVR could hold footage for only 15 days.

With the V&AC’s short retention period, the court sought a clearer mandate for all stations. This move is aimed at preventing evidence tampering and ensuring accountability.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the decision is pivotal for police transparency and anti-corruption efforts. Inconsistent retention practices could allow criminals to destroy evidence.

“This ruling will enhance transparency in police operations and send a strong anti-corruption message.”

The 15‑day retention at Coimbatore’s V&AC highlights local administrative gaps that could challenge the High Court’s directive. Uniform compliance is essential for upholding the rule of law.

Did You Know?: Globally, over 90% of police departments keep CCTV footage for at least 30 days, but only about 20% enforce an 18‑month retention period.
LocationRetention Period
All Police Stations18 months (mandatory)
Coimbatore V&AC Office15 days (current)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Are all police stations retaining CCTV footage for 18 months?

Answer: The court mandates 18 months, but implementation varies across stations.

Question 2: What are the legal consequences if footage is kept for less than 15 days?

Answer: Retaining less than 18 months violates Supreme Court and High Court directives, potentially leading to penalties and administrative action.