India’s Supreme Court urges accountability over rapes

India's Supreme Court on Monday called for greater accountability in response to a recent increase in rape cases in the national capital and surrounding areas, alleging a "failure of law enforcement," according to local media reports. Hundreds of students demonstrated in Delhi last week, urging improved safety for women, after a teenager alleged she was gang-raped by three men in a city park.

The protesters, primarily female, carried signs and chanted slogans while marching near the crime scene, with some placards reading "Our body is our own" and "Freedom to go out at night without fear." Earlier this month, a 17-year-old girl was reportedly gang-raped on a moving bus by the driver and conductor, local media reported.

The Supreme Court emphasized the need for public spaces, including parks and buses, to stop becoming "high-risk" zones due to inadequate lighting, surveillance, and other essential facilities, as reported by legal news website Live Law. The court stated that holding individuals accountable was crucial and instructed its administration to file a public interest petition on the matter, enabling the court to address the issue, according to legal news website Bar and Bench.

Sexual violence is a significant concern across India, with over 80 reported rapes to police every day, as per the National Crime Records Bureau. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta acknowledged lapses during a recent television interview and pledged to enhance security, while Delhi Police claimed they had increased visible policing and bolstered patrolling efforts.