New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings addressing the recent surge in sexual assault cases across the Delhi-National Capital Region, notably highlighting the horrific assault of a minor inside a moving sleeper bus in the national capital. While taking formal notice of the crimes, the top court expressed deep anguish over the recurring pattern of violence against women and young girls in urban transit corridors.
A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran drew direct, solemn comparisons between the recent bus assault and the notorious 2012 Nirbhaya case. The judges noted that simply expressing solidarity or sympathy in the wake of such tragedies is entirely inadequate, firmly asserting that institutional accountability must be established to address systemic failures.
The court observed that these repeated offences expose a severe breakdown in ground-level policing and administrative vigilance. The Bench emphasized that essential public spaces, transit networks, and municipal facilities cannot be allowed to degenerate into hazardous environments for citizens.
Addressing infrastructural neglect, the Bench pointed out that pervasive shortcomings such as inadequate street lighting, dysfunctional surveillance infrastructure, and deficient civic amenities directly compromise public safety. The apex court ordered the immediate registration of a formal suo motu petition to examine law enforcement failures and establish enforceable safety protocols across public transit and communal areas throughout the region.
