The spine-chilling memories of the 2012 Nirbhaya case have once again echoed inside the Supreme Court. The incidents of brutality against a minor inside a moving bus on the streets of Delhi NCR and gang rape near a public space have deeply shaken the highest court of the land. Taking serious note of the complete breakdown of law and order in the national capital, the apex court took suo motu cognizance on Monday.
Harsh Observations by the Bench
A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, while referencing media reports, made sharp observations that the barbarity inside a moving bus bears a painful resemblance to the tragic Nirbhaya case. The court clearly stated that compromising the safety of women in the capital is no longer tolerable, and fixing accountability for officials has become mandatory.
Sleeper Bus Horror and Police Failure
The alleged sexual assault of a minor inside a moving sleeper bus during a 47-kilometer journey from Greater Noida to Delhi left everyone stunned. The incident exposed major systemic flaws and law enforcement failures.
- Prolonged Journey: The accused continued their brutality against the minor inside the moving vehicle, and the police completely failed to intercept or stop the bus throughout the entire 47-kilometer journey.
- Nirbhaya Parallels: The Supreme Court recorded in its order that the circumstances of this crime bear terrifying similarities to the infamous 2012 Nirbhaya case.
- Deep Anguish: Both judges remarked that such recurring crimes in the capital and the surrounding national capital region are soul-crushing and utterly unacceptable.
Swaroop Nagar Gang Rape and Murder
The court also made specific mention of the horrific crime reported from Swaroop Nagar in Delhi within its official order.
- Recovered Body: A teenage girl was first subjected to gang rape and then brutally murdered, after which her lifeless body was dumped in a field.
- Crimes in Public Spaces: Incidents occurring in open locations like public parks completely expose the hollowness of tall safety claims made by authorities.
- Direct Responsibility: The apex court made it clear that recurring offenses of this nature will no longer be dealt with merely on paper, and direct responsibility will be fixed on negligent police and administrative machinery.
Systemic Failures and Public Safety
The bench observed that the rising incidents of rape in Delhi NCR highlight a systemic failure of law enforcement and the administrative apparatus in providing basic safety to citizens. The apex court noted that public spaces, including parks and buses, cannot be allowed to become high-risk zones due to a lack of proper lighting, surveillance, and other administrative safeguards.
To recall, a 16-year-old girl who boarded a sleeper bus from Greater Noida on August 4 was allegedly gang-raped by the bus driver and conductor, and later abandoned near Kashmere Gate in Old Delhi roughly 40 kilometers away. This shocking event immediately brought back painful recollections of the 2012 gang rape and murder case that shook Delhi.
