Sk Riaz Uddin Sekh Riazuddin v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

12.12.2023 WPA 23777 of 2023 Sk. Riaz Uddin @ Sekh Riazuddin -vsThe State of West Bengal & ors.

Mr. Ram Krishna Bhattacharyya Mr. Kaushik Choudhury ...for the petitioner Mr. Angshuman Chakraborty Mr. S. S. Saha ...for the private respondent nos. 7 to 9 Mr. Suman Sengupta Mr. Arindam Mondal ...for the State Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the petitioner is ssi Ct 14 taken on record.

Report filed on behalf of the State is also taken on record.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits as follows. The petitioner is the owner of the property in question. The private respondents are the neighbors who had been creating disturbance to the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property by the petitioner. In fact, they had made illegal construction and after a complaint was made to the Municipal Authorities in this regard, the private respondents abused and assaulted the petitioner and his family members. They even molested the minor daughter of the petitioner. After all these, now the private respondents have installed CCTV cameras aiming at different portions of the petitioner's house. This is violating

their right of privacy.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the private respondents denies the allegations made in the writ petition and submits that the CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure their own safety and security.

Learned counsel for the State relies on the report and submits as follows. On the complaint of the petitioner, a specific FIR being Maheshtala PS Case No. 14/23 dated 09.01.2023 was registered. A charge-sheet was also submitted in the same. On a further complaint of the petitioner, a proceeding was initiated under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. An inquiry was made regarding the CCTV cameras installed by the private respondents. Both the houses are so closed to each other with a narrow passage, it is obvious that any cameras installed would cover some portions of the petitioner's house including any passage . It does not mean that the privacy of the petitioner has been disturbed.

CCTV cameras are no more a luxury. They have now become a requirement for the safety and security of citizens. Not only can they capture any crime or offending act, but they can also, in a way, act as a deterrent.

It appears from the report of the State that the cameras have not been installed in a way that the privacy of the petitioner could be disturbed.

Therefore, no case is made out for any interference in this matter.

Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed, albeit without cost.

However, the police authorities shall keep a sharp vigil at the locale and ensure that no breach of peace takes place. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order be supplied to the parties, if applied for, as early as possible. (Jay Sengupta, J.)