Delhi HC Asks Government To Prepare Action Plan For Women's Safety

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Aam Aadmi Party Government and the Delhi Police over women's safety and asked why women cannot walk safely on the roads of the national capital as they can in Mumbai. The High Court directed the government to prepare an action plan so that NCR can be “crime-free for women.” The court emphasised on the fact that the national capital is not as safe as the financial capital Mumbai.

So much in Nirbhaya Fund is lying unused. Prevention is better than cure. Why can't some of this be used for installing CCTVs and streetlights as it will also fulfill the objective of creating the fund

Charvi Kathuria, a resident of Delhi, says, “I do not feel safe at all. In fact, safety is one reason I chose to work from home. Despite being the capital city, Delhi is highly unsafe. I don't feel safe walking on the roads at night. I am scared to venture out in broad daylight also. Fortunately, I secured a job that allows me to work from home. This allows me to give my 100% without having to worry about my safety.”

“In Mumbai, women can walk freely at night. Why can't it happen in Delhi? Where are we going wrong? We have the best resources and officers in Delhi. Where are things going wrong,” a bench of justices G S Sistani and Jyoti Singh said.

3000 Crore INR Lying Unused In The Nirbhaya Fund Since 2013

The court also questioned the government over the use of the Nirbhaya Fund. The 3000 crore INR that was allotted to the Nirbhaya fund after a girl was raped and killed on the roads of Delhi, is all lying unused. “So much in Nirbhaya Fund is lying unused. Prevention is better than cure. Why can't some of this be used for installing CCTVs and streetlights as it will also fulfill the objective of creating the fund,” it said.

The bench consisting of justices G S Sistani and Jyoti Singh ordered all the stakeholders to prepare an action plan on how Delhi can be made crime-free. “The fund is for prevention and not only for post crime utilization,” they said. It also asked the Delhi Chief Secretary to hold meetings with different stakeholders. 

Aanchal Gupta, a resident of Delhi, says, “The government believes more in giving compensation to the rape accused than providing security at first hand. After I leave home, I'm not even sure if I'll return safely or not. There is always a chance of someone stabbing me and doing whatever he wants. Eve teasing is at its peak. But for everything, the government and the police would say that they do everything to ensure our safety. The words are hollow.”

According to the suggestions given by advocate Meera Bhatia, the bench asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that all street lights are functional, failing which the officer of the concerned area would be held liable and strict action be taken against him.

Policemen Be Given Motorcycles To Access The Dark Corners Of The Capital

According to the suggestions given by advocate Meera Bhatia, the bench asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that all street lights are functional, failing which the officer of the concerned area would be held liable and strict action be taken against him. Meera Bhatia was appointed as the amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation initiated by it in 2012 after the December 16, 2012 gang rape of a woman in a moving bus. The woman later died due to the injuries.

Read More: Nirbhaya Fund And Its Shoddy Usage Garners Sharp Criticism