New Delhi. In a landmark directive, the Supreme Court has demanded a more assertive, preventive policing strategy in the capital, pointing to a rise in sexual‑offence reports throughout Delhi and its fringe areas. The justices stressed that the emphasis must move from post‑incident reaction to pre‑emptive action.
Ground‑level vigilance to be intensified
The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran, probed the Delhi Police about security lapses in high‑risk neighbourhoods. They called for regular beat patrols, warning that police vehicles should keep moving rather than staying parked, to project a constant, deterrent presence.
They also instructed authorities to chart poorly lit lanes, narrow alleys and other potential danger spots. Officers are to liaise with residents, record complaints about inadequate lighting, suspicious behaviour, and any other safety concerns.
Focus on campuses and illegal eateries
The Court highlighted the perimeters of colleges, where female students frequently encounter harassment, and flagged unlicensed food stalls that often become hangouts for anti‑social elements. It urged police to make fuller use of existing intelligence, surveillance assets and the national sexual‑offender database to spot and monitor possible perpetrators.
Emphasis on prevention
Citing recent high‑profile cases that triggered suo motu action, the judges asked whether alerts on suspected offenders were being acted upon swiftly. They underscored that averting a crime must be the primary goal and called for coordinated efforts between police and other agencies.
The bench also requested information on any dedicated “war room” or monitoring centre that tracks security threats across Delhi. While insisting that police operate within legal bounds, they made clear that prompt, decisive action should not be delayed when necessary.
These observations arrive as the Supreme Court continues to hear matters linked to recent sexual‑crime incidents in Delhi‑NCR.
