Many are surprised to learn that recording inside a police station in India is not an offense under the Official Secrets Act, as confirmed by multiple High Court rulings.
While Justice Nirzar S. Desai recently emphasized that we live in an “era of transparency,” it is important to remember the fine print: your recording must not obstruct a public servant from performing their duties (Section 221 of the BNS / Section 186 IPC).
As long as you are documenting for accountability without interfering with official work or violating the privacy of other citizens, the lens can be a powerful tool for reform.
