Shopian Administration Makes CCTV Installation Mandatory Across Public, Commercial Establishments
Shopian, KNT: The District Magistrate, Shopian, has issued an order making the installation, operation and maintenance of CCTV surveillance systems mandatory in a wide range of public, commercial, financial and institutional establishments across the district in a bid to strengthen public safety and crime prevention.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, directs all notified establishments to install and make operational CCTV surveillance systems within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order. The directive will remain in force for 60 days unless withdrawn, modified or extended earlier.
The order applies to banks, financial institutions, ATMs, jewellery shops, petrol pumps, shopping complexes, retail stores, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, religious places, cinema halls, sports facilities, transport hubs, government offices, warehouses and other establishments notified by the district administration.
According to the order, CCTV systems must cover all entry and exit points, reception and waiting areas, cash counters, customer interaction areas, corridors, staircases, common areas, parking spaces, vehicle entry points and storage areas, wherever applicable. The surveillance systems are required to capture clear, identifiable, high-quality images with date and time stamping, supported by uninterrupted power backup and adequate night vision where necessary.
The District Magistrate has also directed that CCTV recordings be preserved for a minimum period of 30 days. Owners or persons in charge of establishments have been instructed to securely store the footage and make it available to police, executive magistrates, investigating agencies or any other competent authority whenever lawfully required.
The order places the responsibility for installation, operation and maintenance of CCTV systems on the owners, occupiers or heads of the respective establishments. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, has been tasked with ensuring effective implementation through Station House Officers, who will conduct periodic inspections and submit compliance reports to the district administration.
The administration has warned that any person or establishment violating or failing to comply with the order will be liable for prosecution and penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, in addition to any other action permissible under law. [KNT]
