Incident

• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a series of sexual assault cases involving minors and women in Delhi-NCR, including:

1. Rape of a 17-year-old near Astha Kunj Park.
2. Gang-rape of a minor in Swaroop Nagar.
3. Sexual assault of a minor inside a bus travelling from Greater Noida to Delhi.

Key Concerns

1. Inadequate lighting in public spaces.
2. Lax or insufficient police patrolling.
3. Poor CCTV coverage and blind spots.
4. Vulnerable areas around parks, transport hubs and educational institutions.
5. A 47-km bus journey without being stopped at a single police picket raised serious law-enforcement concerns.

Constitutional Dimension

• The Court linked public safety to Article 21, observing that the right to life and personal liberty includes the right to live with dignity and without fear of violence.

Supreme Court’s Immediate Remedies

• The Court directed the Delhi Police to:

1. Identify and survey vulnerable pockets.
2. Prepare district-wise vulnerability maps.
3. Increase patrolling, especially during evening and early-morning hours.
4. Audit street lighting and CCTV coverage.
5. Eliminate CCTV and lighting blind spots.
6. Strengthen security in parks, markets, transport hubs and areas around educational institutions.
7. Share vulnerability information among adjoining police stations.

Accountability

• The Court emphasised that expressions of solidarity alone are insufficient. It called for a measurable response with clear responsibility and accountability for authorities responsible for crime prevention and public safety.