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How to Request CCTV Footage for Road Accidents in India
Some useful information to help you understand How to Request CCTV Footage for Road Accidents in India (2025)
In the aftermath of a road accident in India, securing CCTV footage can often make or break a case. Whether you're a victim, an accused driver, or a concerned party, camera footage offers objective evidence that can support your claims. Here's everything you need to know about requesting and obtaining CCTV footage legally in India in 2025.
Jump to:
- Why CCTV Footage Matters
- Sources of CCTV Footage
- Legal Process for Requesting Footage
- Using RTI to Request Footage
- Time Limits and Urgency
- What If Access Is Denied?
- Related Legal Guides
Why CCTV Footage Matters
In road accident disputes, CCTV footage can serve as unbiased, timestamped evidence to:
- Prove who was at fault in collisions or signal violations
- Refute false police complaints or exaggerated damage claims
- Protect you legally if you're wrongly accused
- Support insurance claims and FIR quashing petitions
Where to Get CCTV Footage
You may request footage from the following authorities depending on the accident location:
- Traffic Police: Footage from junctions, red light cameras, and intersections
- Municipal Corporations: Footage from roadside cameras and public infrastructure
- Private Establishments: Shops, offices, hotels, petrol pumps near the site
- Residential Societies: For accidents inside or outside gated communities
Always note the exact time, location, and nearby landmarks to guide the request.
Legal Process for Requesting Footage
If you're a party involved in the accident, here's how you can formally request CCTV footage:
- File a written application with the concerned police station or municipal authority.
- Include FIR copy or accident details (date, time, vehicle number, location).
- Request preservation of footage immediately to prevent auto-deletion.
Keep an acknowledgment or diary number for record-keeping.
Using RTI to Request Footage
If authorities do not cooperate or delay the request, you may file an RTI application under the Right to Information Act, 2005:
- Submit to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the traffic department or municipal body
- Mention the exact timeframe and incident reference
- Request for both digital copy and viewing rights
If no reply is received within 30 days, you may file a first appeal or approach the Information Commission.
Time Limits and Urgency
Most CCTVs retain footage for 7 to 30 days, after which it may be overwritten. Hence:
- File your application within 2–3 days of the accident
- Always request footage preservation in writing
- Follow up every 48 hours until you receive confirmation
What If Access Is Denied?
If your request is unjustly denied or ignored, you can:
- File a complaint with the senior police officer or DCP zone
- Approach the High Court under Article 226 for a writ of mandamus
- Use the footage request denial as evidence of suppression or bias in your case
Legal assistance may be necessary at this stage to enforce your right to evidence.
Related Legal Guides from PEACE
- Understanding Indian Traffic Laws: Your Rights and Legal Remedies (2025)
- Vehicle Seizure by Traffic Police in India: What Are Your Rights?
- How to Get a FIR Quashed in a Minor Road Incident
- What to Do If Someone Files a False Police Complaint After an Accident
- Step-by-Step Legal Process for Hit-and-Run Defense
- Can You Sue the Government for Bad Roads Causing an Accident?
- Legal Options If You're Wrongly Accused After a Road Accident
- How Traffic Accident Cases Are Tried in Indian Courts
- Know Your Rights If You're Arrested After a Road Accident