🔐 Society Permission is Mandatory
Installing a CCTV camera outside a residential flat is not an individual right of a resident or tenant. Such areas fall under the jurisdiction of the housing society, and any installation in common spaces like corridors, entrances, or outside flat doors requires prior approval from the society’s managing committee.
🏠 Tenants Cannot Install CCTV Independently
Tenants do not have the legal authority to install CCTV cameras on their own. Even if the intention is personal safety, the tenant must act through the flat owner, and formal society permission is compulsory before any installation.
📜 Privacy is a Fundamental Right
The Right to Privacy is recognised as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. Any form of surveillance must be lawful, justified, and proportionate. CCTV installations that affect shared living spaces must respect this constitutional protection.
⚖️ Surveillance Must Follow Legal Principles
CCTV usage must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality. Installing cameras without justification or approval can become a legal violation, even if done for security purposes.
🚫 No Invasion of Neighbours’ Privacy
Cameras must not capture other residents’ doors, movements, balconies, or personal spaces. Recording common areas without consent can lead to privacy infringement and disputes within the society.
🤝 Objections Must Be Respected
If any resident raises an objection citing privacy concerns, the society and the person installing the CCTV must take it seriously. Resident consent and collective agreement are essential in shared residential environments.
🔁 Removal or Formal Approval is Compulsory
If objections arise, the CCTV camera must either be removed or installed only after proper approvals are obtained. This ensures a balance between security needs and privacy rights, maintaining harmony and legality within housing societies.
Source:
🏢CCTV Installation Outside Flats Needs Society Permission, Expert Clarifies