Civic bodies mandate CCTV in shops

All three municipal corporations in the city have decided to make CCTV cameras mandatory in all commercial establishments that are at least 250 sq feet in area.

All three municipal corporations in the city have decided to make CCTV cameras mandatory in all commercial establishments that are at least 250 sq feet in area.

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This means most shops, spas, cinema halls, gymnasiums, hotels and malls in the city will have cameras, keeping an eye on every move all the time. This move came following the December 16 gang rape in the city in which a 23-year-old student was brutally raped by five men and a juvenile.

According to the new policy, licences of establishments that do not install the cameras within three months after release of orders will be cancelled.

Called the ‘Installation of CCTV/webcams Bye-laws 2013’, the new policy will mean the responsibility of ensuring that the cameras are functional at all times will be with the shop owner or the shopkeeper.

The municipal bodies will have the right to fine the establishment.