Delhi Police chief urges inclusion of self-defence in school curriculum

Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on Wednesday urged relevant authorities to include self-defence as part of the curriculum for girls in schools and colleges, and added that the force is determined to ensure the safety and security of women in the national capital.

"We want to encourage self-defence training for women, so will request the government to include this as part of the student's curriculum. The Delhi Police is determined to ensure safety and security of women. Earlier, in the Police Control Room, there used to be 60 telephone lines, which has now been increased to 100, so that a person who is in distress doesn't face any problem," Bassi told ANI.

"Similarly, the helpline for women, 1091, had four lines earlier but now has to 10. Besides, in girls and women colleges we keep special patrolling of PCR of local police, and in some places we have deployed women forces. PCR vans too have women deployed in them," he added.

Bassi further stated that the previous antecedents of the Uber cab driver, who allegedly raped a 27-year-old passenger on Friday night, would be put forth before the court while filing the chargesheet.

"His (cab rape accused driver's) previous conduct will be taken into account while we file the chargesheet. We will put forth all these facts before court for trial," he said.

The accused, who was arrested on Monday, is currently in a three-day custody. Meanwhile, Uber has been banned from operating in New Delhi and an FIR has also been lodged against the international taxi-booking service under IPC sections 420, 34, and 188 for cheating customers on the pretext of providing safe commuting with duly verified driver.

The police have also questioned officials of the taxi service in New Delhi.

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, said all the states and Union Territories have been asked to ensure that unlicensed web-based cab services like Uber are banned from operating.