Amid a series of rape incidents in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the government and Delhi Police to ensure that every woman feels safe in the city and that crimes against women are prevented.
‘People should not run away from police’
“We are in a country like India. Merely putting things on paper is not enough. You need to get into action. If you have to be a little more strict, a little more harsh, do not hesitate. “In these holidays, like Durga Puja, Diwali , these miscreants and goons will be on the high. You have to create a fear in their mind. Apprehending them, putting them behind bars is not the solution. Officers, rise to the occasion. Don’t let us down. Every woman, every girl, molested, raped, is our sister, our mother. Rise to the occasion. Take it up as a challenge. Don’t allow such things to happen. CCTV cameras at entry points, exit points of parks etc are not enough. The court further asked the police to intensify surveillance across the city and concentrate more on places such as bus stops, metro stations, railway stations, schools and colleges, including North Campus and South Campus, where women may be more vulnerable. “It’s a huge task before you all. It’s a challenge. And the day you overcome this challenge, it will be a big victory for the department. People should not run away from you. They should come forward to meet you and talk to you.
There will be people who will raise a hue and cry about Article 21 (right to life), but you have to do your duty,” the Supreme Court told Delhi Police in the suo motu case on recent rape cases, according to Bar & Bench. There has to be a 24-hour cell that continuously monitors (the footage),” the Supreme Court said, according to Bar and Bench.
“We must ensure every woman in NCT Delhi feels safe, whether walking at 10 PM or travelling by metro or road,” the Supreme Court told the Union government and Delhi Police, as per LiveLaw. And your response should be such that it instils confidence in the common man to talk to you,” the court told Delhi Police, according to Bar & Bench.
The court had taken cognisance of the matter on September 28. Delhi and the NCR have witnessed a series of such incidents in recent months, including the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji, the alleged gang rape of a minor in Swaroop Nagar, and the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl inside a bus travelling from Greater Noida to Delhi. The top court was hearing a suo motu case on recent rape cases in Delhi-NCR.
