The Gujarat High Court has come down heavily on its Registry for the inexplicable delay in installing CCTV cameras within the court premises. The court drew a sharp comparison to the red tape that often plagues government departments.
According to reports, the proceedings were presided over by Justice Sandeep N Bhatt. The Court reviewed a report submitted by the Registrar General. It was surprised to know that, despite an order for the installation of CCTV cameras being passed in late 2023 with a clear deadline of January 2024, it’s yet to be implemented.
The Judge conveyed strong dissatisfaction, remarking that the delay is, on the face of it, implausible and indicative of a deeply entrenched bureaucratic stagnation.
The Court had originally passed the directive with the intent of promoting transparency within the functioning of the State’s highest court. It stressed that such surveillance would aid in identifying any alleged wrongdoing within the premises. However, the Judge remarked that this sincere attempt seemed to have been misinterpreted as a rebellious move by those responsible for carrying out the task.
In a scathing remark, Justice Bhatt stated that the directive was issued not merely as a procedural formality but in the larger interest of the esteemed institution. The installation of CCTV cameras, he noted, was a desideratum—a much-needed requirement.
The Court had hoped that the Registrar and other senior officials would treat the directive as a bellwether for other courts across the State. Instead, it appeared the order had been regarded as trivial, something akin to a storm in a teacup, and handled with personal bias.
The Court noted that while the Registry initially tried to present the matter before the relevant committees for genuine implementation, and even received approval from the Purchase Committee and the IT Committee, things took a turn thereafter.
The Judge pointed out that the Registrar (IT), at the relevant point in time, appeared to have deliberately attempted to bury the matter by misleading those involved. He declared that such prolonged inaction was unacceptable and likened the sluggishness to the procedural delays rampant in some government institutions.
Underscoring the seriousness of the matter, the Court delved into the notion of red tape. It described it as an overabundance of bureaucratic procedures that impede prompt decision-making and execution.
The Judge said that such delays are typically characterised by an inflexible commitment to formalities, involving intricate documentation and numerous levels of authorisation, which contribute little or nothing of real substance.
The Bench emphasised that both the High Court and the Hon’ble Supreme Court have consistently advocated for the installation of CCTV cameras in critical institutions, including police stations, highways, government offices, and now, the courts themselves. Yet, the Court expressed helplessness in facing such unexplained resistance from within its own administrative setup. It stressed that the Registry ought to have been omnia paratus—prepared for all things.
The Judge made it clear that, for reasons known best to the concerned Registrar—particularly the Registrar (IT)—the process has been unnecessarily stalled. The report even indicated that the project is still lingering at the stage of finalising camera specifications and initiating the tendering process for procurement.
With a note of urgency, the Court expressed its expectation that the Registry would now act swiftly and comply with the order in both letter and spirit. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 26, 2025.
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