The Supreme Court has initiated suo motu proceedings after taking note of a series of recent reports concerning alleged sexual violence against women and minor girls in Delhi-NCR. The Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said the incidents raised serious concerns about the safety of public spaces and whether existing preventive mechanisms were working effectively on the ground.
Background
The proceedings followed reports concerning several incidents, including an alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park, an alleged gang rape and murder of a teenage girl in Swaroop Nagar, and an alleged sexual assault of a minor girl inside a moving sleeper bus travelling from Greater Noida to Delhi.
The Court also referred to earlier complaints of sexual harassment by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, located near Aastha Kunj Park. It questioned whether previous complaints had resulted in adequate patrolling and security measures.
The Bench clarified that the proceedings were not concerned with determining the criminal guilt of individual accused persons. Instead, the Court said it would examine broader institutional and preventive mechanisms for public safety across Delhi-NCR.
The Court linked public safety with the constitutional protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21. It observed that parks, roads, buses, metro stations and other public places cannot become high-risk areas because of inadequate lighting, surveillance or police patrolling.
The Bench said authorities must provide more than statements of concern and called for measurable responsibility and accountability.
"Expressions of concern, devoid of accountability, fall short of answering the larger institutional question. Expressing solidarity is not the solution to this social evil. What is required is a measurable response, with responsibility and accountability fixed upon the authorities entrusted with prevention of crime, maintenance of public order and protection of vulnerable persons."
The Court also directed authorities to explain how existing systems such as the National Database on Sexual Offenders, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, Mission Shakti, emergency response services, Women Helpline 181, Safe City Project, Women Help Desks and One Stop Centres were functioning in Delhi.
The Supreme Court ordered dedicated police teams in every Delhi police district to survey vulnerable locations, including isolated areas, parks, transport hubs and educational zones. District-wise vulnerability maps are also to be prepared.
The Court further ordered audits of lighting and CCTV systems in public parks and vulnerable areas, with non-functional infrastructure to be repaired. Police patrolling was also directed to be intensified, including mobile check-posts and vehicle inspections.
The Delhi High Court was directed to provide information regarding Fast Track Special Courts and Exclusive POCSO Courts, including their pending cases and disposal rates. Cases were directed to be assigned to designated Fast Track Special Courts with trials to be concluded expeditiously, preferably within one year from commencement.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Chief Secretary of the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, and the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court. The Court appointed senior counsel Ms. Liz Mathew as Amicus Curiae to assist it in the proceedings.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 5, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: In Re: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR
Case Number: Suo Moto Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 6/2026
Judges: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Decision Date: September 28, 2026
