Supreme Court Orders Delhi Police to Step Up Patrolling and Verify Cab and Bus Drivers for Women's Safety
New Delhi, 8 October 2026: The Supreme Court of India has issued directions to improve women's safety in Delhi, according to LiveLaw's daily round-up of Supreme Court proceedings. The Court directed Delhi Police to:
- Step up patrolling
- Verify cab and bus drivers
- Close unauthorised liquor outlets
Why these measures
- Patrolling: a visible police presence, especially at night and in isolated areas, discourages crime and allows faster response.
- Driver verification: crimes involving drivers of buses and app-based cabs, including the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case in a private bus and later cab-related cases, have repeatedly shown the importance of police background checks.
- Unauthorised liquor outlets: illegal liquor vending can be linked to harassment and unsafe public spaces.
Background
Women's safety in Delhi has been a major public issue for years. Measures introduced since 2012 include:
- Panic buttons and GPS tracking in public transport and taxis
- Emergency helpline 112
- CCTV across the city under various projects
- Fast-track courts for sexual offences
- Stricter laws, including the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, and provisions now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Why it matters
Court-ordered directions put accountability on police and authorities and can be monitored in later hearings. Effective implementation, such as regular driver verification and sustained patrolling, is often the hardest part.
Safety resources in Delhi
- Emergency: 112
- Women's helpline: 181 (in many states) and 1091
- Delhi Police's mobile safety app features and SOS options
What happens next
The Court is likely to seek compliance reports from Delhi Police and authorities in future hearings.
Details are based on reported court proceedings. The full order should be consulted for precise directions. This article is not legal advice.