The Supreme Court on Monday said accountability for women’s safety in Delhi must be fixed, and ordered authorities to map vulnerable areas across the Delhi-NCR region. Hearing its suo-motu case on rape incidents in the national capital, the court directed that more CCTV cameras be installed, street lighting improved and police patrolling increased in public spaces, according to reports of the proceedings.

The bench questioned what progress had been made on women’s safety since the 2012 Nirbhaya case, and observed that the situation on the ground remained questionable despite years of assurances. It sought a detailed compliance report from the Delhi government on the steps taken to make public spaces safer for women and children.

The directions cover mapping of dark and isolated stretches, lighting of footpaths and bus stops, camera coverage in markets and residential pockets, and a stronger visible police presence at night. The court said responsibility could not be passed between agencies and that fixing accountability was the first step towards making the capital safer. The case will be taken up again after the report is filed.