NEW DELHI (RAJEEV SHARMA): The Supreme Court has initiated proceedings on its own over a series of recent rape cases reported in Delhi-NCR, including the alleged assault of a minor inside a moving sleeper bus in the national capital.
A Bench headed by Justice JB Pardiwala, along with Justice K Vinod Chandran, expressed concern over the incidents and ordered the registration of a suo motu case to examine the wider issue of safety and law enforcement in the region.
During the hearing, the court recalled the 2012 Nirbhaya case while highlighting the gravity of the recent incidents. The Bench said the latest developments inevitably brought back memories of the crime that had triggered widespread concern over women’s safety across the country.
The judges also stressed that public expressions of sympathy would not be sufficient in addressing recurring incidents of sexual violence. According to the court, determining responsibility and ensuring accountability among the authorities concerned would be essential.
The Bench raised particular concerns about the security of public spaces, including parks and public transport. It observed that inadequate lighting, surveillance systems and other basic administrative arrangements could leave such locations vulnerable to criminal activity.
The court’s intervention comes amid reports of multiple sexual assault cases in Delhi-NCR and places renewed focus on the measures adopted by law-enforcement agencies and civic authorities to protect people in public areas.
By taking suo motu cognisance, the Supreme Court has chosen to examine the issue directly rather than wait for a separate petition seeking its intervention. The proceedings are likely to consider the responsibilities of authorities in preventing such incidents and responding effectively when they occur.
The case will now proceed before the apex court, which is expected to issue further directions concerning public safety and accountability as the matter develops.
