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

India’s Supreme Court on Monday called for accountability over a recent spate of rape cases in New Delhi and neighbouring districts, saying they reflected a “failure of law enforcement”, local media reported.

The court said public spaces such as parks and buses could not become “high-risk” zones because of inadequate lighting, surveillance and other basic facilities, legal news website Live Law reported.

It also said accountability needed to be fixed and directed its administration to file a public interest petition on the issue for the court to consider, according to legal news website Bar and Bench.

The court’s remarks came days after hundreds of students protested in Delhi demanding greater safety for women following allegations that a teenager 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 its driver and conductor, according to local media reports.

Sexual violence remains a major problem in India, with more than 80 rapes reported to police every day, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said last week that there had been lapses in security and pledged to improve safety. Delhi Police said it had increased “visible policing” and intensified patrolling in the capital.