With 1,300 command-and-control CCTV cameras lying defunct, DCP urges shops and private establishments to install their own cameras

Nagpur: The Atharva Nanore murder case has not only underscored the critical role of CCTV cameras in cracking crimes but also exposed glaring gaps in the city's surveillance network. With over 1,300 command-and-control CCTV cameras lying defunct, DCP (Zone-2) Nityanand Jha has now directed nearly 275 shopkeepers and commercial establishments to install high-quality CCTV systems outside their premises.In a communication to traders, Jha emphasised that private surveillance has become "extremely essential" for effective policing. Establishments have been instructed to install cameras at strategic, clearly visible locations, ensure uninterrupted operation with reliable power backup, and share footage promptly with police when required.To ensure compliance, police have issued 418 notices across six police stations in Zone-2 — Sitabuldi (50), Dantoli (32), Ambazari (60), Sadar (51), Gittikhadan (65), and Mankapur (15).Senior officers acknowledged that the large number of non-functional public cameras has created a serious gap in the city's security grid.In the Atharva Nanore case, investigators struggling for leads got a crucial breakthrough from footage captured by a private CCTV camera, which showed the victim with the alleged mastermind shortly before the murder. The clip led to the arrest of three accused.Police said expanding private surveillance coverage would significantly boost crime prevention and detection, effectively turning individual cameras into a wider safety net.The advisory also highlighted key benefits of CCTV systems, including deterrence of anti-social activity, identification of offenders, faster investigations, stronger evidentiary support in court, enhanced public confidence, and improved traffic and crowd management.