New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday passed a slew of directions while taking cognisance of news reports of crimes against minor girls and women across Delhi-NCR while directing the Delhi Police Commissioner to constitute dedicated police teams to conduct an immediate survey and inspection of vulnerable pockets.
The top court directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to constitute dedicated police teams for each police district, headed by an officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police within a period of four weeks.
“The audit shall be based upon National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, local intelligence, past and present complaints received, previous incidents, and other objective indicators to identify locations prone to such crimes.
Noticing that the above incidents occured inside a park, road and a bus, the bench said, “Public spaces, including parks, roads, buses, Metro stations, subways, etc cannot be made zones of high risk due to poor patrolling and lack of surveillance.”
The court held police to account as it noticed in the news report that in the Aastha Kunj incident, it came to light how students of LSR College had complained of instances of sexual harassment that went unaddressed. “Regrettably, these complaints failed to rectify the security lapses through advanced surveillance.”
The bench further noted that statements issued by public authorities and law enforcement agencies on the incidents is understandable. However, it added, “These incidents starkly underline a systematic failure on the part of the law enforcement and public administrative authorities to guarantee public safety.”
“Concern devoid of action is not enough. What is required is measured response and accountability of persons entrusted with law enforcement,” it stated.
