State authorities are legally obligated to preserve and provide copies of CCTV footage from police stations and relevant public areas upon request, pursuant to established Supreme Court guidelines on digital surveillance evidence.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 30/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI W.P Crl.(MD)No.2609 of 2026 and W.M.P Crl.(MD)No.633 of 2026 Mathiyavan @ Mathiyavan Irumporai ... Petitioner Vs

1.The District Collector, Chairperson, District Level Over Sight Committee (DLOC), Office of the District Collector, Theni - 625 531.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Theni - 625 531.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Periyakulam Police Sub Division, Periyakulam, Theni - 625 601.

4.The Inspector of Police, Theni Police Station, Theni - 625 601. ... Respondents PRAYER :-

Writ Petition Criminal filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents No. 1 to 4 herein to protect all the CCTV footage at Theni Police Station and the Pennycuick Auto Stand CCTV camera installed by the 4^th respondent Police officials on 05.01.2026 – from 10.PM to 12.PM and on 09.01.2026 from 06.00 A.M to 09.00 P.M and direct the respondent Nos. 1 to 4 to provide a copy of the CCTV footage to the petitioner in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court in SLP(Crl.)No.3543 of 2020 (paramvir singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh, dated 02.12.2020) in light of the petitioner's representation dated 30.01.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.Henri Patrick Tiphance For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate (Crl Side)

for R.1 Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl Side)

for R.2 to R.4

ORDER

This Writ Petition Criminal is filed seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents No. 1 to 4 herein to protect all the CCTV footage at Theni Police Station and the Pennycuick Auto Stand CCTV camera installed by the 4^th respondent Police officials on 05.01.2026 – from 10.PM to 12.PM and on 09.01.2026 from 06.00 A.M to 09.00 P.M and direct the respondent Nos.1 to 4 to provide a copy of the CCTV footage to the petitioner in compliance with the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in SLP(Crl.)No.3543 of 2020 (paramvir singh Saini vs. Baljit Singh, dated 02.12.2020) in light of the petitioner's representation dated 30.01.2026.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that on

05.01.2026, a false case was registered against the petitioner and others who are the auto drivers and on 09.01.2026, several auto drivers were unlawfully arrested, including the petitioner. Later, the police dismantled the Pennycuick Auto Stand to destroy the livelihood of Dalit workers and continue to prevent them from operating. Hence the petitioner had sent a representation on 30.01.2026, seeking to preserve the CCTV footage at Theni Police Station and the Pennycuick Auto Stand CCTV camera – on 05.01.2026 from 10.PM to 12.PM and on 09.01.2026 from 06.00 A.M to 09.00 P.M and direct the respondent Nos. 1 to 4 to provide a copy of the CCTV footage to the petitioner. The same is not considered, hence the petition is filed.

3. Considering the limited scope of the relief sought for, the second respondents is directed to make sure that the fourth respondent police preserves the CCTV footage at Theni Police Station and the Pennycuick Auto Stand CCTV camera – on 05.01.2026 from 10.PM to 12.PM and on 09.01.2026 from 06.00 A.M to 09.00 P.M and direct the respondent Nos.1 to 4 to provide a copy of the CCTV footage to the petitioner .

4. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.