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GuideKarnataka CCTV law: does your premises need cameras?
A plain-language summary for Bangalore business owners, school managers, hospitals and factories.
Who is covered
The Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017 covers commercial and industrial establishments, schools, hospitals and other public places where 100 people gather at a time or 500 visit in a day, according to reports from Deccan Herald and the Dasarahalli Industries Association.
What it expects
- CCTV and access control at entry and exit points
- Recordings stored for 30 days
- Footage handed to the police inspector on request
- Establishment details filed with the local police, and periodic returns
- Penalties for non-compliance
Cameras that do not work do not comply
Bengaluru police have said that many cameras across the city are not functioning, and that inspectors are directed to check establishments. A maintenance contract is the cheapest way to make sure yours records when needed.
A practical compliance checklist
- Every public entry and exit covered, with faces identifiable at the door
- Recorder storage verified for 30 days at your actual settings, not just the box rating
- Recorder time and date correct, so footage is usable as evidence
- Recorder and switches on UPS, so outages do not create gaps
- Someone on site who can export a clip when the police ask
- A maintenance schedule that checks recording, not just live view
Estimate the disks you need with our storage calculator.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules and forms with your jurisdictional police station.
Questions we get asked
Is CCTV compulsory in Bangalore?
For commercial and industrial establishments, schools, hospitals and public places meeting the footfall thresholds under the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017, reports indicate yes. Check with your jurisdictional police station for your premises.
How long must CCTV footage be stored?
Reports on the Act say 30 days of recordings must be kept and given to police when required.
Does the law apply to apartments?
The thresholds are based on footfall at public and commercial places. Whether a residential complex is covered depends on its use and footfall; confirm with your police station.
Tell us what you need to secure
An engineer visits, not a salesperson. You get a written assessment, an itemised BOQ with brand, model, quantity and rate, and an honest list of what you do not need.