The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the Delhi Police and the Delhi government over a series of rape cases in the national capital, observing that the incidents “starkly underlined a systematic failure” to ensure basic public safety. The court’s remarks came after four rape cases involving minors were reported in Delhi over the past two weeks.
Taking note of the incidents, a bench headed by Justice JB Pardiwala said public places, including parks and buses, must not turn into “zones of high risk” due to poor lighting, inadequate surveillance or a lack of essential administrative measures.
The court said the cases raised serious questions about the functioning of law enforcement agencies and public administration. It emphasised that the right to live with dignity and without fear forms part of the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. “One cannot help but draw painful parallels to the Nirbhaya incident of 2012,” the bench remarked.
The court also took issue with statements from public representatives expressing concern over the incidents, stressing that mere expressions of solidarity without accountability were insufficient. “Expressing solidarity is not a solution. What is required is a measurable response,” the court said.
