Supreme Court orders Delhi to audit public safety mechanisms in 4 weeks

The Court aims to evaluate whether effective preventive and monitoring frameworks are operational to ensure safety in public spaces.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: None (Suo Motu). Respondents: Delhi Police, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and relevant civic authorities. Bench: Not stated in the provided text.

What the court decided

• Ordered concerned authorities to submit a comprehensive status report on the operational status of safety mechanisms (NDSO, ITSSO, Mission Shakti, ERSS 112, Women Helpline 181, Safe City Project, Women Help Desks, and One Stop Centres).
• Directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to constitute dedicated teams (headed by officers not below DSP rank) to conduct a survey and inspection of vulnerable pockets within 4 weeks.
• Ordered the preparation of a district-wise vulnerability map to be shared across adjoining police stations.
• Mandated the deployment of patrolling and security arrangements at identified public parks and vulnerable areas, particularly during evening and early morning hours.
• Directed an immediate lighting and CCTV audit across public parks, vulnerable zones, and major public transport facilities to repair non-functional infrastructure and install additional equipment where needed.
• Instructed authorities to utilize the CM Jan Sunwai Portal for citizen grievance redressal regarding safety deficiencies, with geo-tagging and tracked remedial actions.

Also in the document

• The Court explicitly stated that the scope of proceedings is not to assess individual criminal culpability but to examine broader institutional failures.
• The interim measures are required to be undertaken within a period of 4 weeks from the date of the order.
• The Court noted that the reports submitted must not be confined to schemes existing 'merely on paper' but must detail actual operational status, response times, and volumes handled.