Filming videos in public place

Dear Client,

Filming videos in public places, including those involving police officers, is not an offence under Indian law as long as it does not infringe upon anyone’s reasonable expectation of privacy or obstruct public duties. The right to record in public is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression.

Since public officials like police officers are accountable for their actions while on duty in public spaces, recording them particularly to expose misconduct is generally considered lawful. However, filming is restricted in sensitive areas such as police stations, courtrooms, and high-security zones without proper authorization.

It is important that such recordings are done peacefully, without interference or provocation. Any objection by police must be evaluated within this legal framework, and undue intimidation or forced deletion of such recordings may be challenged through appropriate legal channels or complaints to higher authorities.

Dear Client,
Recording someone in a public place, like a road, market, or outside a public office, is generally permissible as long as you're not violating their privacy or other laws related to recording. However, it's important to consider the context and whether the recording could cause harm or distress. If a recording is misused to cause harm or distress, it could lead to legal action, such as a false FIR or false charges. Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 prohibits capturing, publishing, or transmitting the image of a private area of any person without their consent. Even if you're using a video recording in a way that infringes on a copyright holder's rights, you may need their permission.