BJP MLA moves Delhi HC alleging discrimination in installation of CCTV cameras by AAP govt

New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): A BJP MLA has approached the Delhi High Court alleging discrimination in the installation of CCTV cameras by the Delhi government. The plea claims that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruled Delhi government installing cameras only in areas represented by AAP MLAs and councillors, while areas represented by BJP MLAs and councillors are being overlooked.

The matter is scheduled to come for a hearing before the bench led by the Acting Chief Justice on August 27.

The petitioner Abhay Verma representing the Laxmi Nagar Assembly Constituency, claims that while Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced the installation of 1,40,000 CCTV cameras across Delhi, his constituency was unjustly excluded. The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) had conducted a survey indicating a need for 2,066 cameras in Laxmi Nagar, but the installation was selectively carried out, benefiting only areas represented by ruling party leaders.

The petitioner through Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain asserts that despite multiple representations to the Chief Secretary, GNCTD, the request for CCTV cameras in the remaining wards of Laxmi Nagar has not been addressed.

The petitioner highlights a discrepancy where an AAP councillor’s request for 1,000 cameras in her ward was promptly approved, while similar requests from the petitioner for other wards in the constituency have been ignored.

The petitioner argues that this selective installation is adversely affecting the law-and-order situation and safety in the remaining parts of the constituency.

They seek a court order directing the installation of CCTV cameras in the remaining wards of Laxmi Nagar to ensure equitable distribution and enhance security.

Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, representing the petitioner, states that the procedure requiring further approval from the minister after a proposal is passed by the Assembly and consulted with the Cabinet Minister is flawed.

This process, according to the petition, undermines the authority of the Assembly and grants the minister undue discretion, allowing them to selectively approve projects.

This discretion, the petitioner contends, often negatively impacts constituencies represented by opposition parties, thereby compromising their development. The petition asserts that such executive intervention undermines democratic principles and suggests that eliminating unnecessary approvals could enhance overall state development and fairness in resource allocation.