Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has issued a show-cause notice to Additional Chief Secretary Vandana Dadel, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her over the continued delay in installing CCTV cameras in police stations across the state.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad expressed concern over repeated non-compliance with judicial directions, observing that the explanations offered by state authorities had failed to adequately account for the delay.
The proceedings concern the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations, a measure linked to monitoring police custody and addressing concerns surrounding custodial deaths.
The court’s latest order followed an affidavit filed by the Director General of Police (DGP) on September 11, 2026. The DGP stated that she did not have independent authority to issue directions for installing the cameras and identified the Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department as the competent authority to take the necessary decision.
The court was not satisfied with the explanation and issued notice to Dhadel, who holds the post of Additional Chief Secretary in the department, seeking her response on the question of contempt.
High Court Flags Repeated Delays in CCTV Installation
The matter is being heard in Court on Its Own Motion v. The State of Jharkhand and Others, W.P. (PIL) No. 7197 of 2025.
The High Court has issued directions on several occasions requiring the state authorities to ensure CCTV installation in police stations. However, the court noted that the work remained incomplete despite repeated assurances and opportunities to comply.
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In its August 27, 2026, order, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the continued reliance on tender procedures and cancellations to explain the lack of progress.
The court had also directed senior state officials to ensure that the installation process was completed within the stipulated period.
During the subsequent proceedings, the DGP’s affidavit referred to the Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department as the authority responsible for taking the relevant decision.
The Bench questioned this position in view of the earlier directions requiring the police leadership and senior government officials to ensure compliance.
Court Suspects Systematic Effort to Delay Compliance
Expressing serious concern over the repeated delays, the Bench observed that the explanations offered by the authorities raised questions about whether the judicial directions were being deliberately delayed.
The court remarked:
“At least prima facie, we get the impression of a systematic effort to delay, if not outright disobedience.”
The Bench also criticised repeated assurances of unconditional apologies by officials, observing that such statements appeared unconvincing when considered alongside the continuing failure to implement the court’s directions.
The court’s observations reflected its concern that responsibility was being shifted between departments instead of ensuring that the required CCTV systems were installed.
Key issues highlighted by the court include:
- Repeated delays in implementing directions to install CCTV cameras.
- Reliance on tender processes and cancellations to explain the lack of progress.
- Questions over the allocation of responsibility between the police leadership and the Home Department.
- Continued non-compliance despite previous judicial directions and assurances.
The show-cause notice seeks an explanation from Dhadel on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. It does not, by itself, amount to a final finding of contempt.
427 Custodial Deaths Cited in Court Proceedings
The High Court also highlighted the seriousness of the issue in the context of custodial deaths recorded in Jharkhand.
During earlier proceedings, the court referred to official records indicating 427 custodial deaths between 2018 and 2026.
The Bench observed that the reported number of deaths made timely compliance with directions for CCTV installation particularly important.
The proceedings have raised questions about the implementation of safeguards intended to improve monitoring in police stations and ensure accountability in matters involving police custody.
Chief Secretary Asked to Take Responsibility
The High Court has also directed the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand to take responsibility for ensuring compliance with its directions.
According to the latest proceedings, the court sought an affidavit setting out the timeline for completing CCTV installation across police stations in the state.
The Bench indicated that it wanted a clear commitment from the state’s senior administrative leadership rather than another explanation from a contractor or implementing agency.
The Advocate General sought time until October 14, 2026, to inform the court of the proposed timeline for completing the installation work.
The matter has been listed for October 15, 2026, for further consideration.
CCTV Installation Remains Central to the Proceedings
The High Court’s proceedings have focused on ensuring that CCTV cameras are installed in police stations in accordance with judicial directions.
The court has repeatedly emphasised that administrative procedures and departmental correspondence cannot indefinitely delay compliance with its orders.
With the latest show-cause notice to Additional Chief Secretary Vandana Dadel, the court is seeking accountability from the officials responsible for implementing the directions.
The next hearing is expected to consider the state’s proposed timeline and the steps being taken to complete the installation of CCTV cameras across Jharkhand’s police stations.
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