India’s Supreme Court has criticized law enforcement and public authorities for failing to protect women following a series of alleged rape cases in the capital city, Delhi, and its surrounding areas. Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran expressed concern over the authorities’ inability to ensure safe public spaces, warning that locations such as parks and buses must not become "high-risk" zones due to insufficient lighting, surveillance, or other safety measures.

The court took suo motu cognisance of several recent allegations without waiting for formal complaints, highlighting what it described as a "systematic failure" by both law enforcement agencies and administrative bodies to uphold basic public safety standards for women.

This judicial intervention comes amid growing public outrage after a teenage girl was reportedly gang-raped in a public park in Delhi on September 25, an incident that sparked a large student protest. Hundreds of Delhi University students marched through the city to condemn violence against women and call for improved security in public spaces.

In neighboring Punjab state, protests at Lovely Professional University over allegations of an on-campus rape led the institution to suspend classes and postpone examinations. The protests reflected broader national concerns about sexual violence and the need for safer environments, particularly in educational institutions.

Data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau shows that the country records over 80 rape incidents each day, underscoring the scale of the problem nationwide. The Supreme Court’s remarks and the recent protests signal an urgent demand for more effective measures to prevent sexual violence and protect women in public and institutional settings.