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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has sought clarifications from the Delhi government regarding the feasibility of enhancing safety measures for women on DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses.

The court proposed the installation of cameras on buses and alert buttons on driver and conductor seats to bolster women's safety.

A bench comprising Justices V. Kameswar Rao and Anoop Kumar Mendiratta directed a series of questions to the counsel representing the Delhi government during the hearing.

The inquiries encompassed the presence of cameras on DTC buses, the installation of push-to-talk buttons on CCTV poles, the duration for which CCTV footage is retained, and whether any audits are conducted on the functioning of CCTVs in the national capital.

This initiative stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the court in 2012, focusing on women's safety and security following the brutal gang-rape incident on December 16, 2012, where a 23-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries.

The court instructed the Delhi government to submit a status report detailing the feasibility of introducing cameras and alert buttons on DTC buses, along with information about the retention period of CCTV data and any auditing practices.

The court also sought compliance information regarding its earlier order instructing the consideration of placing hoardings or posters on public transport to raise awareness against eve-teasing.

Amicus curiae Meera Bhatia suggested that prominent hoardings or posters explicitly stating that eve-teasing is a serious and punishable offense would serve as a deterrent.

During the hearing, the court expanded its focus to safety measures for women in taxis. Bhatia highlighted the lack of functional panic buttons in the majority of taxis and urged the implementation of effective safeguards.

The Delhi government's counsel informed the court that 6630 CCTV cameras have been installed in vulnerable areas across the national capital as part of initiatives to enhance women's safety, and they are operational.

Previously, the court had granted time to the Delhi Police to consider the proposal of installing panic buttons on poles with CCTV cameras to aid women in distress. The government counsel informed the court that the installation of 'push-to-talk panic buttons' on CCTV poles is actively under consideration by the Delhi Police's technology division.

The court has consistently issued directives to enhance safety measures, including increasing the number of police officers, installing CCTV cameras, expediting forensic sample testing, and ensuring swift compensation disbursement for victims of sexual assault.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Union of India Thr. Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs and Anr.