“Police Need to Create Fear in the Minds of Goons”: SC
Court says prevention must be prioritised and police must create fear among offenders and anti-social elements
- SC says women must feel safe in Delhi-NCR at all hours.
- Court stresses crime prevention over post-crime action.
- Police asked to deter offenders and anti-social elements.
- Case concerns recent rape incidents across Delhi-NCR.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Oct: The Supreme Court on Monday stressed the need for stronger preventive measures to ensure women’s safety in Delhi-NCR, observing that there is a need to create fear among those who commit crimes against women.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran made the observations while hearing a suo motu case concerning recent rape incidents in Delhi-NCR.
The court said every woman in the National Capital Region should feel safe while travelling, including during late-night hours.
“We have to work together. We must ensure that every woman in Delhi-NCR should feel safe even at 11 pm whether travelling on the roads or the metro,” the bench observed.
Prevention must be the priority
The Supreme Court emphasised that preventing crimes should be the primary objective rather than focusing only on action after an offence has occurred.
“What is important is to prevent a crime, not what you do after a crime is committed,” the bench said.
The court further observed that the police need to create fear in the minds of goons and anti-social elements who are prone to committing such offences.
The bench also stressed that rape is completely unacceptable in any society and underlined the need for authorities to ensure a stronger sense of security among women.
SC takes suo motu cognisance of recent incidents
The Supreme Court had on September 28 taken suo motu cognisance of news reports concerning crimes against minor girls and women across Delhi-NCR.
The court had observed that the reported incidents appeared to underline a systematic failure on the part of law enforcement authorities.
The proceedings cover several disturbing incidents reported in the region.
These include the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in Delhi, the alleged gang rape and murder of a teenage girl in the Swaroop Nagar area of Delhi, and the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl inside a moving sleeper bus.
In the bus case, the law enforcement agencies allegedly failed to intercept the vehicle as it travelled more than 47 kilometres from Greater Noida to Delhi.
Court focuses on safety before crimes occur
During Monday’s hearing, the bench’s observations placed emphasis on preventive policing and the need for women to feel secure in public spaces, including roads and public transport.
The court’s remarks also highlighted the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to identify vulnerable areas and deter potential offenders before crimes take place.
The matter remains under consideration before the Supreme Court.
