Growing sexual assault cases in Delhi: SC draws parallel to 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape

Supreme Court of India (file photo)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed “anguish and deep concern” over the growing number of sexual assault cases involving girls in public places in Delhi and drew a parallel with the 2012 Nirbhaya case.The court said the incidents point to a systematic failure of law enforcement agencies in the national capital.The apex court took suo motu cognisance and registered a case.The court's move comes amid recent incidents of sexual assault involving minors in public spaces in Delhi.

What led to the SC taking note of the Delhi incidents?

In a recent incident, a 17 year old girl alleged that three men raped her at different locations inside Delhi's Aastha Kunj Park on her birthday.According to the FIR, the girl had entered the park with a male friend after visiting Kalkaji Mandir. She alleged that the three men approached them, claimed to be policemen, took away their phones and threatened them with a gun and knives.The girl alleged in her statement that the men took her to different parts of the park and sexually assaulted her while threatening her with a knife. She and her friend were allegedly warned against telling anyone about the incident before they were allowed to leave.The girl later told her friend about the alleged assault, following which he called the PCR. Police reached the spot and began an investigation.