Preventive Policing Cannot Justify Arbitrary Exercise of Police Powers: Supreme Court Issues Directives For Women’s Safety In Delhi NCR

The Supreme Court, in the matter concerning suo motu cognizance of the gang-rape of a minor in a moving bus in Delhi-NCR and other similar matters, has observed that the pursuit of preventive policing cannot become a justification for the arbitrary, excessive, or disproportionate exercise of police powers.

The Court has passed directions to the Delhi Police and civic administration such as enhanced beat patrolling, strict verification of public transport drivers, and real-time command centre monitoring so as to ensure public safety across the National Capital Region.

On the day of the hearing, the court has asked the Delhi Police and civic administration to institute preventive measures to guarantee that every woman and young girl in the National Capital Territory feels safe, even late at night. It said that it will pass a detailed order.

The Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran directed, "We also deem it necessary to emphasise that the pursuit of preventive policing cannot become a justification for arbitrary or excessive or disproportionate exercise of police powers. The police must act firmly where the law requires intervention, but such intervention must remain within the bounds of legality, proportionality and accountability. Accountability is integral to effective policing and governance, for the citizens’ faith in the system must be gained through effective enforcement, especially when the system is challenged, as is the case with the recent turn of events. A system which seeks to inspire confidence in citizens must necessarily be one in which citizens are protected not only from crime, but equally from unlawful or disproportionate exercise of State power."

Senior Advocate Liz Mathew appeared as Amicus Curiae, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Union

Previously, the Court had passed a series of strict, time-bound directions to the Delhi Police, civil administration, and judiciary to address systemic security lapses across the National Capital Region. The Court mandated immediate 4-week safety audits, district-wise vulnerability mapping, and the restoration of lighting and CCTV infrastructure in high-risk zones.

The Court took note of the submission of the Amicus Curiae, Liz Mathew, with regard to the manner in which she proposes to assist the Court in the present matter. At the outset, Mathew submitted that there is a palpable and immediate need for enhanced beat patrolling across the NCT of Delhi.

She referred to the circular passed by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, which constituted district-wise dedicated anti-eve-teasing squads, called Shishtachar Squads.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the concerned senior officials of the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Delhi Police, along with officials from the DDA, MCD, NDMC, and the Ministry of Women & Child Development, have commenced joint deliberations on the concerns.

The Court observed, "Public safety, therefore, cannot be viewed solely through the prism of a response to a crime after it has occurred. The manner in which public spaces are maintained, the visibility of police patrolling and surveillance, and the promptness with which reported deficiencies are addressed are equally relevant to crime prevention. These would simultaneously instil confidence amongst citizens and fear amongst potential perpetrators that public spaces all across the city are being effectively watched and monitored."

The Court noted that the deficiencies which were capable of being identified and remedied ought not to be left unattended until they manifest themselves in an actual incident of crime. It added that the objective must be to intervene at the stage at which signs of neglect or vulnerability first emerge, so that public spaces, by reason of avoidable deficiencies in lighting, surveillance and patrolling, do not create conditions conducive to disorder or facilitate the commission of crimes.

It was also observed that detection and prevention can be achieved only through constant surveillance and quick response, educating every single police personnel having jurisdiction over an area about its significance, incentivising effective policing and ensuring accountability.

The Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi and the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi to furnish a joint report on (i) whether dedicated control-room command centres of this nature currently exist within the NCT of Delhi and, if so, their exact number and the corresponding areas of coverage, and (ii) the protocols presently in place for real-time coordination, communication and deployment of emergency intervention once information is received by the command centres.

"Equally important to effective crime prevention is meaningful citizen participation. Citizens are often the first to notice recurring disorderly conduct, poorly lit stretches, unauthorised establishments, abandoned vehicles, dilapidated buildings or other conditions which may affect the safety of an area. It is, therefore, necessary to encourage citizens to communicate their grievances and to share information concerning criminal or delinquent activity in their neighbourhoods, more particularly in and around educational institutions and paying-guest accommodations housing young women and girls", the Court observed.

The Court asked that the police and the local administration consider instituting regular citizen-engagement meetings, under the supervision of an officer to be designated for the purpose, so that grievances may be received directly and their follow-up monitored efficiently.

The Court held, "Preventive policing must, however, become an institutional practice and not remain dependent upon individual initiative. Training in preventive policing should accordingly form part of the induction of police personnel and be reinforced through periodic training at regular intervals thereafter. The existing mechanisms of police training and capacity-building, including those associated with the Bureau of Police Research and Development, must be suitably examined for this purpose".

In addition to the previous orders/directions passed by the Court, the Court further directed:

1. Enhanced beat patrolling on an immediate basis, across the NCT of Delhi, more particularly around educational institutions and other zones which get flagged under the vulnerability mapping exercise.

2. Strict verification of drivers and assistants engaged in public transport vehicles like (a) government-operated buses and private buses, and (b) cabs, taxis, rickshaws, etc., which are linked to app-based vehicle- aggregator services like Ola, Uber, Rapido, etc., as well as the cabs, taxis and auto-rickshaws that operate privately. Only duly registered and verified persons shall be permitted to operate such vehicles.

3. The Court directed the authorities to examine the effective implementation of the directions issued by the Court in its Order, in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India & Ors., whereby a slew of directions have been issued regarding Vehicle Tracking System Devices.

4. The Court said that appropriate awareness measures should be undertaken to inform passengers about the manner of activation of SOS mechanisms, the response protocol and the expected response time.

5. The Court asked the concerned authorities to identify trucks, heavy vehicles and other vehicles which were habitually unlawfully parked at locations where they obstruct visibility, create blind spots or harbour unauthorised personnel, and should take appropriate steps for their removal from that area.

6. The Court also directed the authorities to unauthorised liquor shops and establishments operating without requisite permissions shall be identified. The Court asked the beat officers to remain vigilant in this regard and bring such instances to the notice of their superior officers.

The Bench also expressed concern over whether existing Standing Orders, such as those governing dedicated "Shishtachar Squads," "Operation Nirbheek," and the "Nazuk Scheme", were functioning as living instruments or remaining confined to paper.

Consequently, the Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to submit weekly reports of the Shishtachar Squads from the preceding three months, training assessment modules, and victim-protection protocols for young complainants.

The Court also asked for reports on the existence and protocols of control-room command centres, and an updated report on police staffing shortages. It directed the Chief Secretary, GNCTD and Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to file comprehensive compliance affidavits with a clear statement that they would be personally liable for non-compliance.

Accordingly, the matter was listed for further hearing on November 16, 2026.

Cause Title: IN RE: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR [Neutral Citation:2026 INSC 1096]

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