Balaji v. The State of Tamilnadu

ORDER The present petition has been filed by the 1st accused in Cr.No.85 of 2026, on the file of the 1st respondent police, seeking a direction as against the 1st respondent to preserve the CCTV footage installed in the 3rd respondent Police Station for the period between 04.00 A.M. and 10.30 P.M. on 16.05.2026.

¶2The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing on behalf of the respondents has filed a counter of the 3rd respondent. Paragraph 6 and 7 of the said counter are extracted as follows:- " 6. I humbly submit that it is important to mention here that on

10.05.2026, there was heavy rain in and around the Nainar Kovil area and due to the lightning strike, all the electronics in the 3rd respondent Police Station including CCTV, DVR, computers and printers were damaged and the said news was published in the daily NEWS paper. Further the said information about damage was communicated to the Inspector, Technical (IT Cell), Police Telecommunication Branch, Ramanathapuram through phone on 11.05.2026. Based on the said information, officials from Police Telecommunication Branch inspected the 3rd respondent Police Station and analyzed the damage to the electronics.

¶7I humbly submit that thereafter, damaged CCTV and other electronics in the 3rd respondent Police Station was repaired on 17.05.2026 at about

06.00 pm and after the test, it came into full function on 20.05.2026 vide report of Inspector, Technical (IT Cell), Police Telecommunication Branch, Ramanathapuram in Na.Ka.No.68/IT Cell/RMD Dist/2026 dated

19.06.2026. As such, the CCTV recordings from 10.05.2026 to

19.05.2026 in the 3rd respondent Police Station is not available."

¶3The communication of the Police Department Ramanathapuram District have also addressed to the 3rd respondent police to the aforesaid effect on

19.06.2026.

¶4According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, when the petitioner has sought for CCTV footage, these documents have been created.

¶5In view of the above said facts, it is clear that the respondent police claim that the CCTV footage was not working between 11.05.2026 till

20.05.2026. Therefore, the prayer sought for by the petitioner cannot be granted at this relevant point of time. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to pursue his remedy under RTI Act.

¶6This criminal original petition is disposed of with the above liberty.

10.07.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No rgm To:

¶1The Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Paramakudi.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Nainar Kovil Police Station, Paramakudi, Cr.No.85/2026. R.VIJAYAKUMAR

, J.

rgm Crl.O.P(MD).No.11213 of 2026

10.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.O.P(MD).No.11213 of 2026 Balaji ... Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep., by the Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram. 2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, O/o.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Paramakudi. 3. The Inspector of Police, Nainar Kovil Police Station, Paramakudi, Cr.No.85/2026. ... Respondents PRAYER: To direct the 1st respondent to forthwith preserve the all CCTV footages installed in the 3rd respondent police station on 16.05.2026 from early morning 04.00 AM to 10.30 PM within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court based on the petitioner's representation on 02.06.2026. For petitioner : Mr.R.Senthil Kumar For Respondents : Mr.B.Arun Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side)