Progress in women safety post Nirbhaya questionable: Supreme Court orders vulnerable-area mapping, more CCTVs, lighting, police patrol

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a slew of directions aimed at improving safety in public spaces across Delhi-NCR in its suo motu case concerning a series of rape cases in the region, including the alleged gang rape of a teenager at a public park [In Re: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR].

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran expressed concern over what it described as systemic failures on the part of law enforcement and civil authorities to ensure basic public safety.

"One cannot help but draw painful parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case, calling into question whether systemic law enforcement mechanisms have made any meaningful progress in the decade since then," the Court observed.

It added that public spaces, including parks, roads, buses, metro stations, subways and footbridges, cannot be permitted to become high-risk zones because of inadequate illumination or surveillance, lack of patrolling or other preventable administrative deficiencies.

The Bench also said that statements of concern by public authorities and elected representatives were not enough in the absence of accountability.

"Expressing solidarity is not the solution to this social evil. What is required is a measurable response, with responsibility and accountability fixed upon the authorities entrusted with prevention of crime, maintenance of public order and protection of vulnerable persons," the Court said.

The Court therefore directed that the following immediate measures be implemented within four weeks-

1. Survey of vulnerable areas: Delhi Police must form dedicated teams for every police district to survey vulnerable locations such as isolated stretches, parks, transport hubs, markets and areas around educational institutions. The exercise must rely on NCRB data, complaints, previous incidents, local intelligence and other objective indicators.

2. District-wise vulnerability maps: Police must prepare vulnerability maps for every district and share them with adjoining police stations to track recurring crime patterns and habitual offenders.

3. Increased patrolling: Police must strengthen patrolling and security at identified public parks and vulnerable areas, particularly during evening and early morning hours. A designated officer must be made responsible for each location and periodic inspections must be carried out.

4. Lighting and CCTV audits: Authorities must immediately audit lighting and CCTV coverage in public parks and vulnerable zones to eliminate blind spots. Non-functional infrastructure must be repaired and additional lights or cameras installed wherever needed. Similar audits must also cover major public transport facilities.

5. Citizen complaints to identify unsafe areas: Existing grievance mechanisms, including the CM Jan Sunwai Portal, must be used to identify problems such as poor lighting, inadequate CCTV coverage, dark stretches and unsafe access points. Complaints should be location-specific where possible, verified by the competent authority and acted upon within a prescribed timeframe.

6.Complaints to feed into vulnerability mapping: The Delhi Police Commissioner and civic authorities must periodically analyse complaints and include recurring or corroborated grievances in the vulnerability-mapping exercise.

6. Mobile check-posts and vehicle inspections: Intensified patrolling must include mobile check-posts and regular vehicle inspections. Police must also strictly enforce the prohibition on aftermarket black, tinted or solar-control films on vehicle windows.

The directions came after the Court took note of several recent incidents. These included the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in Delhi. The Court also noted earlier complaints of sexual harassment by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, which is located near the park.

The Court clarified that the suo motu proceedings were not aimed at deciding the guilt or innocence of accused persons in individual cases. It added that the proceedings would instead examine broader institutional failures and whether effective preventive and monitoring mechanisms were in place across Delhi-NCR.

Apart from the interim measures, the Court also sought detailed status reports on various safety mechanisms in Delhi. These include the National Database on Sexual Offenders, the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, Mission Shakti, emergency number 112, Women Helpline 181, the Safe City Project, Women Help Desks and One Stop Centres.

The Bench asked the authorities to disclose whether these mechanisms were actually operational. It also sought details on their coverage, the officers responsible, the number of complaints or interventions handled over the previous three years and the average response time, where available

The Court also directed the registrar general of the Delhi High Court to file an affidavit within four weeks on the functioning of fast track special courts and exclusive POCSO courts in Delhi. The affidavit must include details on pendency, disposal rates and the average time taken to conclude cases.

The Delhi High Court was also asked to ensure that the concerned trials are concluded expeditiously, preferably within one year from the commencement of trial.

The Bench further cautioned media organisations against sensational reporting of sexual offences.

"Headlines and reportage must prioritise dignity, factual accuracy, and institutional accountability over sensationalism, ensuring that the discourse remains centered on justice and safety," the Court said.

The Court also asked the district administration to hold an immediate meeting with media houses to publicise emergency helplines and other safety mechanisms through dedicated space or airtime.

The Court issued notice to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court.

The matter will be heard next on October 5.

Senior Advocate Liz Mathew was appointed amicus curiae to assist the Court.

[Read Judgment]