STaking suo-motu cognisance on media reports regarding rampant eve-teasing and harassment on Delhi Transport Corporation buses specifically on route no 544, the Delhi Commission for women (DCW), on Wednesday issued a notice to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Delhi Government and Delhi Police. The DCW has also constituted a committee to enquire into this and has asked the Transport Commissioner and Delhi Police to submit their reply by October 10, the DCW spokesperson stated.
A series of tweets went viral on the social media where a woman alleged that her 19-year-old was molested seven times, while travelling in Delhi Transport Corporation buses, within three months of her moving to Delhi. She alleged that her cousin specifically pointed out route 544 which is targeted by molesters as it carries girls on their way to Kamala Nehru College and Gargi College.
The woman tweeted, "These are not coincidences or one-off incidents. These are sickening individuals who travel on that bus with the sole purpose of harassing young girls trying to get an education. Harass them to the point that my little sister dashed out of the bus and into incoming traffic than bear any more of it. She lived to tell the tale, but are we waiting for a day when some little girl doesn't?"
Following the incident, the DCW has asked the Transport Commissioner, "to provide details on issues such as reasons for these lapses, steps taken by the Commissioner for deployment of Marshals in DTC buses and installation of CCTV cameras. The Commission has sought detailed timelines by which these issues shall be resolved." "Information has also been sought from Delhi Police about action taken on the incident and steps taken by police to provide the safety and security to women and girls in buses," DCW spokesperson stated.
The commission also emphasised that even after the Cabinet in June 2016 had approved installation of CCTV cameras in all buses; it has not been implemented till date.