Deploy more security for women instead of VIPs: SC

Women security has been a key issue confronting the government in the wake of the brutal gang rape of a 23-year old Delhi.

Yahoo! India News – Thu 7 Feb, 2013 4:09 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today questioned the excessive use of security personnel deployed for VIPs in New Delhi, suggesting that many of the personnel can be employed instead for the security of women.

Based on a plea filed by Amicus Curiae Harish Salve, the apex court suggested that many of the security personnel can deployed for making Delhi roads safe for women.

Salve, during the proceeding, argued that thousands of crores of rupees were being spent on VIP security instead of increasing security of women in the city. The Delhi Police, however, informed the court that it arranges many of these personnel for the security of judges.

Women security has been a key issue confronting the government in the wake of the brutal gang rape of a 23-year old Delhi woman in a moving bus in December last year.

The government since then has been under immense pressure to provide adequate security for women. Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit was candid in admitting recently that women felt unsafe in the national capital.

"At this moment there is no feeling of safety in Delhi following yesterday's rape at Lajpat Nagar," Dikshit had said.

The SC directed the states time till February 11 to file an affidavit on the deployment of police for VVIP security, failing which, the respective home secretaries will have to make appearances in the court on February 16.

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