The Supreme Court has directed Delhi authorities to increase police patrolling around schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres, while ordering stricter verification of drivers operating Ola, Uber, Rapido, buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws across the capital.
The directions were issued by a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran after recent rape cases in Delhi-NCR. The court also ordered closer monitoring of CCTV cameras, vehicle tracking systems and emergency SOS buttons, and made the Delhi chief secretary and police commissioner responsible for ensuring that the measures are implemented on the ground.
The court said issuing directions alone would not be sufficient and that authorities must demonstrate their effect in local areas. Delhi Police has been told to strengthen beat patrolling, with particular attention to educational institutions and locations already identified as vulnerable.
Under the directions concerning public transport, only drivers who have been registered and verified will be allowed to operate vehicles. The order covers drivers and helpers working for government and private buses, app-based cabs, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Drivers will be required to display their names and photographs so passengers can identify them and report cases in which another person is operating the vehicle.
The court has also directed authorities to prevent vehicles from being handed to unverified drivers or to anyone other than the driver assigned to them. Regular and surprise inspections have been ordered at vehicle checking centres. Depending on the violation, authorities may take action against drivers and seize vehicles.
The directions extend to the functioning of safety systems inside vehicles. Authorities must conduct regular and surprise checks of vehicle tracking systems and emergency SOS facilities. The court has also asked officials to examine whether these systems can be linked to the police emergency response network.
Passengers must be informed about what happens after an SOS alert is activated, which agency or official is responsible for responding, and the expected time for assistance to arrive. The court has separately stressed the need to address non-functioning CCTV cameras, defective street lights and dark stretches that can increase safety risks in public spaces and along travel routes.
The Supreme Court has sought details of the Delhi Police’s ‘Shishtachar Squads’, including weekly reports for the previous three months and a consolidated assessment of their work. The police must also report on the implementation of the ‘Operation Nirbhik’ and ‘Nazuk’ initiatives, which are intended to encourage girl students to report sexual offences and harassment.
The Delhi chief secretary and police commissioner have been directed to submit a district-wise report on compliance with the earlier and latest directions by November 6. The court has warned that failure to implement the orders seriously could make both officials personally accountable. The matter will be heard next on November 16.
