September 28, 2026

India's top court says need to fix accountability over Delhi rape cases, media reports

Student protests and back-to-back gang rape cases prompt India's Supreme Court to weigh in on women's safety

India's top court says need to fix accountability over Delhi rape cases, media reports
A college student holds a placard during a solidarity march demanding police action and better safety for women following the alleged gang rape of a girl, in New Delhi, India, Sept 23, 2026. REUTERS/Bhawika Chhabra

Reuters

Published : 28 Sep 2026, 05:12 PM

Updated : 28 Sep 2026, 05:12 PM

The Supreme Court of India on Monday pushed for accountability over a recent spate of rape cases in the national capital and neighbouring districts, saying they reflected a "failure of law enforcement", local media reported.

● Hundreds of students protested in Delhi last week demanding better safety for women after a teenager said she was gang-raped by three men at a park in the city.

● Last month, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in a moving bus by the driver and conductor, local media reported.

● The Supreme Court said public spaces, including parks and buses, could not become "high-risk" zones because of poor lighting, surveillance, and other basic facilities, legal news website Live Law reported.

● The court said fixing accountability was necessary and directed its administration to file a public interest petition on the issue for the court to pursue, legal news website Bar and Bench said.

● Sexual violence is a major problem across India, with more than 80 rapes reported to police every day, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

● Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told a TV channel last week that there had been lapses and vowed to improve security, while Delhi Police said it had increased "visible policing" and intensified patrolling.

Related Stories