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Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance of Delhi-NCR sexual assault cases
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of a series of sexual assault and rape cases in the Delhi-NCR region. The court expressed deep concern over recurring incidents, including the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir and the sexual assault of a minor on a moving sleeper bus traveling from Greater Noida to Delhi.
In its observations, the Bench of Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran drew painful parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case, questioning whether law enforcement and administrative systems have made meaningful progress. The court emphasized that the right to live with dignity and without fear of violence is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. It further noted that public spaces such as parks, roads, and buses must not become high-risk zones due to preventable deficiencies like inadequate lighting, poor surveillance, or lack of patrolling.
The court has directed the registry to register a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter and has sought responses from the Delhi Police regarding public safety.
In response to the Kalkaji incident, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has introduced additional night guards and improved lighting in dark spots. Additionally, Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu has ordered a safety audit of all DDA parks to be completed by next week. Meanwhile, student-led protests and solidarity marches have been organized in Delhi to demand systemic changes and improved safety for women.
Entities
Aastha Kunj Park · Delhi Development Authority · Delhi Police · Delhi-NCR · Justice J. B. Pardiwala · Justice K. Vinod Chandran · Kalkaji Mandir · Supreme Court of India · TS Sandhu
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Court emphasized that the right to live with dignity and without fear of violence is part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21. bhaskarlive.in · www.livelaw.in · www.mangalorean.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Court directed the registry to register a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the issue. bhaskarlive.in · www.mangalorean.com · www.thefinancialworld.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A minor was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a moving sleeper bus traveling from Greater Noida to Delhi. bhaskarlive.in · www.livelaw.in · www.mangalorean.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Public spaces, including parks, roads, buses, metro stations, subways and footbridges, cannot be allowed to become high-risk zones due to inadequate lighting, surveillance, patrolling or otherPreventa bhaskarlive.in · www.livelaw.in · www.mangalorean.com · www.thefinancialworld.com · srnnews.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as policemen at a park near Kalkaji Mandir. bhaskarlive.in · www.mangalorean.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of recurring rape and sexual assault cases in the Delhi-NCR region. bhaskarlive.in · www.livelaw.in · www.mangalorean.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu directed a safety audit of all DDA parks to be completed by next week. www.millenniumpost.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Lady Shri Ram College for Women temporarily shifted to online classes following the incident. www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The DDA introduced additional night guards, regular patrolling, and improved lighting at dark spots. www.millenniumpost.in · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of recent sexual assaults in the Delhi-NCR region. news.abplive.com · www.thefinancialworld.com · www.mangalorean.com · www.dnaindia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police arrested three suspects, including individuals identified as Asif, Hemant, and Mukesh. sundayguardianlive.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Three men posing as police personnel allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old girl in Aastha Kunj Park. www.millenniumpost.in · sundayguardianlive.com