New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (September 28) took suo motu cognisance of several recent cases of sexual assault involving minors and women in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).
The court sought a response from the Delhi Police and raised the issue of safety in public spaces such as parks, roads and buses. The top court’s intervention follows four cases involving alleged sexual assault of minors in Delhi within roughly two weeks. The incidents involved different parts of the city and different settings, including a park, a street, a shop and the Swaroop Nagar area.
Because of poor patrolling or weak surveillance, the bench said these places cannot become areas where people face a high risk of sexual violence.
Aastha Kunj case and security lapses
Three men allegedly approached them while posing as policemen and threatened them with legal action. All three accused were arrested. One of them was injured in an exchange of fire with the police during his arrest. The case has also had an impact on nearby educational institutions. LSR shifted classes online for a day after the incident, with students organising a solidarity march for the survivor.
The 17-year-old and her male friend had visited Kalkaji Mandir before entering the park, according to the police. The court’s observations refer to Article 21, which the SC has interpreted to include the right to live with dignity.
The police said the men separated the girl from her friend and took her to a secluded area, where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The court’s observations have brought police patrolling and surveillance measures before the judicial review. The apex court also referred to complaints of sexual harassment made by students of Lady Shri Ram College before the Aastha Kunj incident.
