The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi Police and the Delhi Government to strengthen preventive policing across the National Capital Region in the wake of recent rape incidents in Delhi-NCR. The Court stressed that public safety cannot depend only on action after a crime occurs and called for stronger patrolling, surveillance, citizen participation and accountability.
The order was passed on October 5, 2026, by a Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran in In Re: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR, a suo motu proceeding initiated by the Court.
Background
The matter came before the Supreme Court after it took suo motu cognisance on September 28, 2026. During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Liz Mathew highlighted the need for enhanced beat patrolling across Delhi and referred to existing measures of the Delhi Police, including district-wise Shishtachar Squads created to address eve-teasing and sexual offences in public spaces.
She also pointed to concerns over police manpower and referred to an earlier Comptroller and Auditor General report that had identified a significant shortage in police staff performing duties such as beat patrolling and investigation. The Court was also informed about several grievance-reporting platforms dealing with street lighting, CCTV, public infrastructure and police assistance.
Supreme Court Emphasises Preventive Policing
The Bench said that the proceedings were aimed at identifying deficiencies in existing crime-prevention and emergency-response systems and addressing gaps in policy implementation.
Referring to the “Broken Windows” theory, the Court observed that visible signs of neglect, such as broken streetlights, non-functional CCTV cameras and poorly monitored public spaces, can create a perception that an area is not adequately supervised.
The Court explained the preventive approach in clear terms:
"Public safety, therefore, cannot be viewed solely through the prism of a response to a crime after it has occurred. The manner in which public spaces are maintained, the visibility of police patrolling and surveillance, and the promptness with which reported deficiencies are addressed are equally relevant to crime prevention."
The Bench further stressed that deficiencies capable of being identified and corrected should not be allowed to remain unattended until an actual crime takes place. It said prevention requires intervention when vulnerabilities first become visible.
Directions on Patrolling and Public Transport
The Court ordered enhanced beat patrolling throughout Delhi, particularly around schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutions and other areas identified as vulnerable.
It also directed strict verification of drivers and assistants operating buses, taxis, cabs and auto-rickshaws, including vehicles connected with app-based services. Only registered and verified persons are to operate such vehicles, while their names and photographs must be displayed where passengers can easily see them.
The authorities were also directed to examine the functioning of vehicle-tracking systems and their integration with police emergency response mechanisms. Awareness measures concerning SOS facilities were ordered so passengers understand how alerts are activated and what response they can expect.
Court Seeks Accountability from Delhi Police
The Supreme Court specifically questioned whether existing preventive-policing measures were producing results on the ground.
The Bench observed:
"Ultimately, the efficacy of a preventive policing framework must be judged not by the number of Standing Orders issued, but by the extent to which those orders translate into visible police presence, timely intervention, deterrence and a demonstrable sense of safety amongst citizens."
The Court directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit weekly reports concerning the functioning of Shishtachar Squads for the preceding three months, including details of patrol areas, timing, action taken and follow-up.
It also sought a detailed report on the implementation of Operation “Nirbheek” and the “Nazuk” Scheme, particularly regarding the protection and confidentiality of complainants.
Decision
The Court directed the concerned authorities to submit consolidated status reports by November 6, 2026. The Chief Secretary of Delhi and the Commissioner of Police were made responsible for filing affidavits on behalf of the administration and police, respectively, and the Court warned that they could be made personally answerable if its directions were not implemented seriously.
The matter was treated as part-heard and listed for further hearing on November 16, 2026. Notice was also issued to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Transport Department of the Delhi Government.
