Implementing ₹24,000-crore scheme to modernise police, Centre tells Supreme Court

Representative image. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The Union government told the Supreme Court on Thursday (September 3, 2026) that it has begun implementing a ₹24,000-crore umbrella scheme to modernise of police forces over the next five years.Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, appearing for the Centre, told a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the ‘Police Modernisation Mission’ would strengthen the internal security capabilities of State police forces and Central Armed Police Forces through greater use of technology.The submission was made in a suo motu proceeding initiated in 2025 after the court took note of a media report highlighting non-functional CCTV cameras at police stations in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The court had subsequently sought compliance reports from the Centre, States, and Union Territories while reviewing the implementation of its 2021 judgment in Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh case, which mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations within police stations, including entry and exit points, lockups, corridors, reception areas, and the rooms of inspectors and sub-inspectors.Mr. Thakare told the Bench that the proposed scheme was awaiting financial approvals and that its specific components could not be disclosed at this stage. He, however, said that adequate funds would be provided to install CCTV cameras in police stations across the States.Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, assisting the court as amicus curiae, urged the Bench to ensure continuity of funding under the existing Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme until the new scheme is implemented. The Union Home Ministry currently provides funds to States and Union Territories under the scheme for installing CCTV infrastructure in police stations.“I am only praying, before the lapse of ASUMP, if this can come in so that there is continuity,” Mr. Dave submitted.‘Dormant funds’The Bench said funds already available under the existing scheme should not remain unused while the new scheme awaited approval.“For the present, you already have funds under the ASUMP scheme. Why do you allow them to lie dormant? Let them be used for modernising the existing system. Why do we have to wait till the new scheme comes into force,” Justice Mehta asked.Mr. Thakare informed the court that the Ministry had extended the ASUMP scheme until September 30, 2026, and that States and Union Territories had been asked to promptly submit proposals to avail themselves of funds during the extended period.Justice Nath, however, pointed out that the Centre’s affidavit did not indicate whether the remaining funds under the existing scheme would be carried over to the new one. “Where is it said that the balance funds will automatically be transferred to the new scheme,” he asked.Mr. Thakare said he would seek instructions from the Centre and respond on the next date of hearing on September 21.Jharkhand yet to install CCTVsMr. Dave told the Bench that Jharkhand had sought ₹112.5 crore from the Ministry under the ASUMP scheme on July 22 for installing CCTV cameras in police stations, but its proposal had been rejected.“Jharkhand had applied, but its proposal was rejected... Jharkhand has not even started anything... not one CCTV camera since 2020,” he submitted.Mr. Thakare said the Centre had sought further details from the Jharkhand government on its proposal and was yet to receive them. He said he would seek instructions on this as well.In 2020, a three-judge Bench headed by Justice Rohinton F. Nariman (now retired), in Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh, had directed the installation of CCTV cameras and recording equipment in police stations as a safeguard against custodial torture.The court had extended the requirement to the offices of Central investigative agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Directorate of Enforcement, Narcotics Control Bureau, Department of Revenue Intelligence, and Serious Fraud Investigation Office, as well as any other agency with the power to interrogate and arrest individuals. Published - September 03, 2026 10:07 pm IST