Policing better in affluent areas, poor ignored: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court Wednesday slammed the city government for filing a "wishy washy" report on increasing crime against women in the capital and said policing was "not effective".

A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul, while going through the report filed by police, took note that crimes have increased twice as much in areas like Mehrauli and Govindpuri, while incidents in Safdarjung Enclave and Hauz Khas have gone down.

"Your (police) policing is better in affluent areas like Hauz Khas and Safdarjung Enclave and you are ignoring poor (referring to Mehrauli and Govindpuri area)," the bench remarked.

The bench criticised Delhi Police which filed an affidavit showing a chart of crimes against women reported in 44 red-flagged areas Jan 1-April 15, and April 16-July 31.

Earlier, 44 'red-flagged' areas were identified in Delhi, where the court had asked police to take immediate action in terms of better policing, gender sensitisation and public awareness programmes.

"We are not happy with the response. Police not showing the result," the bench said, while refusing to accept the affidavit of Delhi Police.

"Crime system is going down the hill," the bench said.

It also remarked that now, police do not take blood samples, finger prints, DNA etc.

"If there is a rich person or foreigner involved in the case, then only police take DNA samples. This gives the impression to society that you commit crime and no one will be punished because of lack of evidence.

"There is no fear, no respect for law. You (police) have to bring them the message that we will catch you," the bench said.

The court, which is looking to get result-oriented action from Delhi Police, expressed displeasure at its failure to analyse the data made available by 'crime mapping' and tackling the problems according to the areas.

It directed police to submit a status report indicating the measures taken after the crime mapping and the result of these measures.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal, which cited surveys by independent organisations that claimed a recent spurt in crimes and sought directions for taking adequate steps to check it.

The petition said the Delhi government failed to provide an atmosphere conducive to the growth of girl students and women.

Bansal submitted a press release issued by Delhi Police in April 2013 which said molestation and harassment recorded 600 percent and 783.67 percent rise, respectively in the last few years.