Supreme Court takes cognisance of Delhi rape cases, pulls up government, police
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded the Delhi Police and Delhi government over serious of rape cases in the national capital, citing grave systematic failure to guarantee basic public safety.
Taking note of the cases, a bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala said public spaces such as parks and buses cannot become “zones of high risk” because of inadequate lighting, surveillance and other administrative facilities.
"These incidents starkly highlight a failure of law enforcement. Public spaces, including parks and buses, cannot be permitted to become zones of high risk due to lack of illumination, poor surveillance and other administrative facilities," the bench said.
The Supreme Court said the recent incidents raised serious questions about law enforcement and public safety. It stressed that every person has the fundamental right to live with dignity and without fear.
The court said the cases brought back painful memories of the 2012 Nirbhaya case, in which a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was gangraped on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. She later died in a Singapore hospital on December 29. The case led to widespread protests and major changes in India’s laws dealing with sexual offences and crimes against women.
The Supreme Court also criticised public representatives for simply expressing concern over rape cases. The bench said that statements of support were not enough and that authorities needed to take concrete and measurable action.
Four rape cases involving minors in two weeks
The court's observations came after four rape cases involving minor girls were reported in Delhi within two weeks. The incidents led to protests by students and women's groups, who demanded stronger police action and better safety measures.
On September 10, a 17-year-old girl went to meet a friend in northwest Delhi's Swaroop Nagar. Police alleged that she was gangraped by the friend and his associates and later murdered. Her body was found on September 13. Four suspects, including three minors, were arrested.
On September 14, a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man on Deshbandhu Gupta Road in central Delhi. The accused, identified as Ankit, was arrested.
Another case was reported on September 17, when an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped inside a tailor's shop in Sadar Bazaar. Police arrested the accused, identified as Maqsood, who was later sent to judicial custody.
- PTC NEWS
