The Supreme Court has ordered intensified patrolling around schools and other educational institutions across Delhi, mandatory verification of public transport and app-based cab drivers, and real-time monitoring of emergency SOS systems following a series of rape cases reported across the Delhi-NCR region.
A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and the Delhi Police Commissioner to file periodic compliance reports and warned that the two officers would be “personally answerable” for lapses in implementing the measures.
The directions require enhanced beat patrolling across the National Capital Territory, with particular attention to schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutions and other areas identified through vulnerability mapping. The police chief has also been asked to inform the court whether control-room command centres or “war rooms” are operational, and to provide details of their emergency coordination and response protocols.
The court’s latest directions follow its September 28 order taking suo motu cognisance of a spate of rape cases reported across Delhi-NCR. It said the intervention was intended to strengthen immediate crime-prevention and emergency-response systems, while also identifying gaps in existing policies and their implementation.
The Bench referred to the “Broken Windows theory” of policing while highlighting the connection between minor administrative failures and public perceptions of safety. It pointed to unattended streetlights, dysfunctional CCTV cameras, dark stretches and unresolved public complaints as conditions that can create insecurity and discourage residents from using public spaces. Police personnel were advised to interact with residents and exchange information about criminal or delinquent activity, particularly around educational institutions and paying-guest accommodations housing young women.
The court also ordered strict verification of drivers and assistants working on government and private buses, cabs, taxis and autorickshaws, including vehicles linked to app-based aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido. Only registered and verified persons will be permitted to operate these vehicles. Their names and photographs must be prominently displayed so passengers can identify them and report unauthorised drivers.
Any substitution or sub-letting of vehicles must be preceded by registration and verification. The Bench directed authorities to use vehicle checkpoints for periodic and surprise checks. Violations may result in prompt action, including suspension or dismissal of the driver or assistant and seizure of the vehicle.
On emergency systems, the court directed authorities to explain to passengers how SOS alerts function, what assistance follows activation and what response time can be expected. The authorities must also place on record the protocol governing SOS alerts, the personnel responsible for responding to them and the system used to track response times.
The Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked to submit weekly reports for the past three months on the functioning of the “Shishtachar Squads”, established through a Delhi Police circular in March 2025 to address eve-teasing and sexual harassment in public places. The reports must include the areas covered, the frequency of drives and action taken.
The directions also cover the physical management of public spaces. Authorities must remove trucks, heavy vehicles and other vehicles routinely parked in ways that obstruct visibility or create blind spots. Beat officers have been tasked with monitoring unauthorised liquor outlets, illegal alcohol sales, and crowding or loitering around such establishments.
The authorities must file comprehensive district-wise status reports by November 6, setting out compliance with the court’s earlier and latest directions, pending measures and reasons for any delay. The matter will be heard next on November 16.
