The Supreme Court has directed police to take visible, on-ground action to prevent crimes against women, saying safety measures must not remain only on paper. It stressed that policing should be strong enough to deter offenders and reduce sexual violence.
The court took note of a series of shocking incidents reported in Delhi and the National Capital Region, including the gang rape of a 17-year-old near Aastha Kunj Park, the rape and murder of a girl in Swaroop Nagar, and an assault in a moving sleeper bus where a girl was allegedly raped and thrown out.
Hearing the matter on its own initiative, a bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala examined what steps the Union government and Delhi Police are taking to prevent sexual offences against women. The bench also asked whether there is a system to continuously monitor unsafe areas in Delhi and to ensure immediate action when crimes occur.
In its directions, the Supreme Court said the law-and-order machinery must be strengthened so that perpetrators fear swift and serious consequences. It underlined that police should not hesitate to take firm action when the situation is grave, and that public safety must be prioritised.
The court further said officials should not limit themselves to file reviews and statistics, but engage directly with the public, including vulnerable communities, to identify safety gaps and address complaints. It added that the government must create conditions in which women feel safe even while walking at night or travelling by metro in Delhi and the NCR.
