As it’s 11 years to the horrible Nirbhaya rape incident
on a moving bus, the High Court posed a slew of questions to
the counsel for the Delhi Government about the steps taken to strengthen women’s
safety in the national capital.
A Bench of Justices Kameswar Rao and
Anoop Kumar Mendiratta questioned the counsel for the Delhi Government about installation
of camera in DTC buses, push-to-talk buttons on CCTV poles, preservation of the
footage of CCTVs and its duration.
The court was hearing a PIL it had
initiated in 2012 on the issue of safety and security of women after the
horrific December 16, 2012 gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus.
She had succumbed to her injuries days later.
The court asked the Delhi Government to
file a status report incorporating details about the security measures.
Besides, the Bench asked whether the
Delhi Government has followed the court’s earlier order to take instructions on
the suggestion by amicus curiae (friend of court) advocate Meera Bhatia that
the authorities should consider placing hoardings or posters in buses and other
public transport for creating awareness on crime against women.
Bhatia said hoardings or posters clearly
mentioning that molestation is a serious and punishable offence will act as a
deterrent.
The Bench wanted to know facilities implemented
in taxis for the safety of women passengers.
Bhatia noted a majority of such vehicles
don’t have panic buttons and, if installed, are not functional.
The city government’s counsel informed
the court that 6630 CCTV cameras have been installed in vulnerable areas and
they are functional.
The court had earlier granted time to
the Delhi Police to consider the proposal of installing panic buttons on poles
on which CCTV cameras are installed for helping women in distress.
The Delhi Government counsel had
informed the court that installation of ‘push-to-talk panic button’ on CCTV
poles is under active consideration by Delhi Police’s technology division.
PTI
