Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Jharkhand High Court Issues Contempt Notice Over Police CCTV Delay
The Jharkhand High Court had ordered cameras to be installed in police stations.
The court was told that the work was still incomplete.
Because the order was not fully followed, the court sent a contempt notice to police chief Tadasha Mishra.
The court also told two senior government officials to take its directions seriously.
They must report on the progress by September 30.
The government had earlier said the cameras were being installed.
The case started after Tarun Mahto was assaulted while in police custody.
His wife’s letter to the chief justice led the court to begin the public interest case.
The Jharkhand High Court issued a contempt notice to DGP Tadasha Mishra over missing CCTV cameras in police stations.
The court said cameras had not been installed in every police station across the state.
Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar and Home Secretary Vandana Dadel were directed to submit a compliance report by September 30.
The government previously told the court that installation was underway and would soon be completed.
The case began after Tarun Mahto was allegedly assaulted in police custody, prompting a suo motu public interest litigation.
- Who
- The Jharkhand High Court, DGP Tadasha Mishra, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, and Tarun Mahto are central to the case.
- What
- The court issued a contempt notice to the DGP for failing to ensure CCTV installation in all police stations and ordered a compliance report.
- When
- The hearing was reported on August 28; the report does not specify the year. The compliance report is due September 30.
- Where
- The matter was heard in Ranchi and concerns police stations across Jharkhand.
- Why
- The action followed alleged non-compliance with the court’s CCTV directive and a public interest litigation initiated after Tarun Mahto’s alleged assault in police custody.
Court’s position
Government’s position
Completion of CCTV installation
Court’s position
The court said its earlier direction had not been fully complied with because cameras were not installed in every police station.
Government’s position
The government had previously stated that cameras were being installed and that the work would be completed soon.
Response to the court’s orders
Court’s position
The bench directed senior officials to take the orders seriously and issued a contempt notice to the DGP.
Government’s position
The officials must now submit a status-cum-compliance report detailing the installation progress by September 30.
- Court
- Jharkhand High Court
- Bench
- Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar
- Notice recipient
- DGP Tadasha Mishra
- Compliance deadline
- September 30
- Required report
- A status-cum-compliance report on CCTV installation
- Origin of case
- A suo motu public interest litigation following Tarun Mahto’s alleged assault in police custody
- Earlier government position
- CCTV installation was underway and would be completed soon