The Bidhannagar Commissionerate has begun installing over 100 CCTVs at strategic locations under its jurisdiction after the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in New Town last month.

According to a senior police officer, they are prioritising ‘dark areas’ and entry points to Rajarhat and Salt Lake for CCTV installation.

Police sources said CCTVs equipped with expensive ANPR cameras, which have automatic licence plate-reading capability, were installed at several locations in Salt Lake in 2023. In the current lot, CCTVs have PTZ cameras, which can pan, tilt, and zoom.

Till now, around 34 cameras have been installed. CCTV coverage has been increased at important locations like City Centre, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, and the CC Block post office.

The police have also surveyed CCTV cameras installed by private individuals. Under the Bidhannagar North police station alone, for instance, 600-700 CCTV cameras on private premises have been spotted.

In the New Town zone, each of the five police stations was given the option of installing 10 cameras but, in some cases, the number may rise.

Meanwhile, within 15 days of the rape-murder incident, the New Town police submitted a charge sheet before a Barasat court against the accused e-rickshaw driver. The trial is set to begin in the first week of March.

In the 411-page charge sheet, the police have framed murder, rape and abduction charges, in addition to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, against accused Soumitra Roy alias Raj, 22.

On February 6, the 14-year-old victim had left her home after a minor argument with her mother and sister, and her semi-naked body was discovered in a bush next to a canal on the morning of February 7.

After scanning CCTV footage, the police arrested Roy on February 8. He allegedly confessed to picking up the girl on the pretext of dropping her home and then carrying out the rape-murder.