Supreme Court Orders Delhi Safety Audit
The Court directed Delhi Police and civic authorities to map vulnerable areas, improve lighting and surveillance, and strengthen patrolling across Delhi-NCR within four weeks.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of recent reported rape and sexual assault cases in Delhi-NCR and issued a series of directions aimed at improving the safety of women and children in public spaces.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran directed the Delhi Police and civic authorities to undertake several immediate measures, with key safety audits and surveys to be completed within four weeks.
The Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked to constitute dedicated teams for every police district, headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. These teams will survey vulnerable locations including isolated stretches, parks, transport hubs, markets and areas around educational institutions.
The teams have also been directed to prepare district-wise vulnerability maps using crime data, local intelligence, complaints and previous incidents. The maps are to be shared between adjoining police stations so information about recurring crime patterns is not restricted to individual jurisdictions.
The Court ordered patrolling and security arrangements at identified parks and vulnerable areas, particularly during evening and early-morning hours. Authorities have also been directed to conduct audits of streetlights and CCTV cameras and repair or replace non-functional equipment.
Similar safety audits will cover Metro stations, bus stops, bus terminals, railway stations and other major public-transport facilities, particularly those located near identified vulnerable areas. Citizens' complaints about inadequate lighting, CCTV coverage and unsafe access points are also to be considered through existing grievance mechanisms.
The Court further directed authorities to publicise helplines and support systems and conduct awareness programmes in schools, colleges, educational institutions and residential colonies. The district administration was also asked to work with media organisations to provide public information on protective measures and helpline numbers.
The proceedings followed reports of several serious sexual offences involving women and minors in the Delhi-NCR region. The Court clarified that the suo motu proceedings are focused on broader institutional and preventive mechanisms, rather than determining the guilt or innocence of individuals accused in specific criminal cases.
The Court has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court. Senior Advocate Liz Mathew has been appointed Amicus Curiae, and the matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 5, 2026.