‘Are Women Safe In Delhi?’ Supreme Court Steps In After Spate Of Rape Cases

A spate of rape cases in Delhi has prompted the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance, with the apex court questioning the failure of law enforcement and administration to ensure public safety. The court said people have a fundamental right to live without fear and warned that public spaces such as parks and buses cannot become “zones of high risk” because of inadequate lighting, surveillance and other facilities. The intervention comes amid multiple cases involving minors, including a recent alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old inside a moving vehicle. The Supreme Court also drew a parallel with the Nirbhaya case while examining the wider concerns around safety, policing and patrolling in the national capital. In this India Today report, we look at the recent cases, the Supreme Court’s observations and the questions now facing Delhi’s police and administration.