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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s...

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replied to Sarda on forwarding his complaint to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. It further stated that action taken in the matter must be conveyed directly to Sarda. “It’s a pleasant surprise indeed that the President has taken serious note of the issue of insults to the National Flag at night-clubs, pubs, lounges, sports bars and other places all over the country. The blatant mishandling of the National Flag also violates the specially laid-down provisions of the Flag Code of India,” said Sarda. He pointed out that the Tricolor is a sacred symbol and not a ‘commercial prop’ for entertainment purposes to be used by artists without disregard for the rules. “There are multiple videos, reels or photos available on social media… It's painful to view how the National Flag is being grossly misused, disrespected and even displayed at late nights or early morning hours, flouting the rules,” Sarda said. The more worrisome aspect is that such transgressions are occurring openly, repeatedly and apparently without any apprehensions for the potential consequences. This indicates serious lapses in the enforcement and supervision, but such unchecked abuse could portend dangerous signals that national symbols can be ‘trivialized and traded for profits’. He urged the President to direct the issue of stringent written guidelines with circular to all such private or commercial outlets on mandatory compliance with the Flag Code of India, conduct special awareness drives, surprise checks on such venues and regular inspections to curb the misuse of the Tricolour. Flag Code of India, 2002 Perturbed over the “perceptible lack of awareness” not only among the masses but also governmental agencies with regard to the laws, practices and conventions for displaying the National Flag as per the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the centre had brought out the detailed 25-page Flag Code of India, 2002. The Flag Code of India has minute guidelines on the display of the Tricolour, the happy occasions when it flies high, or the sad times when it is at half-mast, the privileged dignitaries who are entitled to display it on their vehicles, etc. Certain violations attract hefty fines and/or imprisonment till three years.

Eyes Everywhere: How CCTV Is Solving Crimes in Real Time

CCTV may raise privacy concerns, but in cities where it's prevalent, crime has fallen by as much as 30 per cent.

Closed-circuit television, or CCTV, has become one of the most important instruments in modern forensic investigations. CCTV technology, which was first created in the late 1940s in Germany to monitor rocket launches, has advanced dramatically over the years. It now serves an important role in both preventing and solving crimes by giving visual evidence that may be used in court. CCTV systems have evolved from analogue tape records to high-definition digital footage with cloud storage, and artificial intelligence has made them smarter and more reliable than ever.


The use of CCTV footage in legal proceedings in India has become increasingly significant. In the case of Sonu vs. State of Haryana, courts relied heavily on video evidence for conviction. The courts also said that CCTV footage can be used as evidence under Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act if specific conditions are met. Recently, a major theft at a jewellery store in Delhi was cracked within hours with the help of CCTV footage that clearly showed the perpetrator’s face and movements. The Supreme Court of India, too, has emphasised the importance of surveillance. In the case of Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh (2020), the court ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations and interrogation rooms, stating that this move would ensure accountability and transparency. The bench also stated that such footage could protect both citizens and law enforcement officials from false allegations.


Scientific advancements are expanding the capabilities of CCTV. A recent study focuses on applying AI algorithms to detect tampering in surveillance videos while maintaining the integrity of the footage. Artificial intelligence is also utilised for real-time facial recognition, object tracking, and behavioural analysis, allowing law enforcement agencies to prevent crimes before they occur. “CrimeTracer AI”, a contemporary AI tool, allows investigators to explore large amounts of video footage data using plain-language instructions, which significantly reduces the investigation time.


The use of CCTV in urban policing has been pioneered by experts in India, especially Dr. A.K. Viswanathan, a former Chennai Police Commissioner. Under his leadership, Chennai launched the "Third Eye" initiative, which included the installation of over 250,000 cameras across the city and the integration of facial recognition technology to increase public safety. On the forensic side, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) have developed into nationwide centres for video forensics. Some industry leaders like Amped Software offer solutions for court-admissible video analysis.


Internationally, agencies such as Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) offer recommendations and guidelines on the forensic treatment and handling of video evidence, promoting cross-border consistency. The insightful TED Talk titled “The Tech That Tracks You” offers insightful public perspectives on surveillance technology, balancing its benefits with concerns about privacy and ethics.


Despite privacy concerns, the presence of CCTV has consistently shown a reduction in crime rates in monitored areas, sometimes by as much as 30%. The forensic value of the technology lies not only in recording events but also in doing so in a way that can be verified, and AI is increasingly being used to find even the smallest digital changes. We expect CCTV's role in ensuring justice and public safety to only strengthen as it continues to merge with cutting-edge technology. For the average citizen, it brings peace of mind; for law enforcement, it is an unblinking ally in the quest for truth.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS and forensic advisor to the Government of Assam. Bora is student of forensic at NFSU, Guwahati. Views personal.)

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