The Delhi High Court in the case Court on its own motion v. GNCTD wherein it was informed by the Delhi Police that 6,630 CCTV cameras have been installed in various vulnerable areas in the national capital in order to strengthen security and safety of women.
The Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula in the case observed and was informed by the counsel appearing for the Delhi Police that the installed CCTV cameras are being monitored in the five master control rooms. In the present case, the court was hearing the suo motu public interest litigation which is initiated in the year 2012 while concerning the issue of safety and security of women in the national capital in the aftermath of Nirbhaya gang-rape case.
Before the court, the Amicus Curiae Advocate Meera Bhatia made the suggestion that the panic buttons can be installed on the poles wherein the CCTV cameras have been installed so that any woman in need can alert the police personnel present in the master control rooms immediately. The counsel appearing for the Delhi Police in the case observed and seek time from the court in order to consider the proposal of installing the said panic buttons on poles and said that the authorities will certainly consider the same.
The bench in the case while considering the facts and circumstances directed the Delhi Police to take immediate steps to install CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas of the national capital.
Further, the court observed that the measure will help to curb crime against women and ensure their security.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on October 06, 2023, thus, the court while granting four weeks’ time to the Delhi Police to consider the proposal.
