Withdraw police from VIP security, deploy for women safety, says SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi Police why security personnel deployed on VIP security could not be provided to ensure security of women in the city. The court's observation came on a plea filed by Amicus Curiae Harish Salve.

During the court proceedings, Harish Salve told the court that thousands of crores of rupees were being spent on VIP security, which can rather be used for ensuring the safety on women in the city. The Delhi Police had told the Supreme Court that it deploys over thousands of personnel for security of judges.

After hearing the Delhi Police's arguments, the apex court said that many of these personnel could be deployed for better purposes like making the Delhi roads safe for women.

Amicus Curiae Harish Salve told the court that thousands of crores of rupees were being spent on VIP security.

The court has given the states time till February 11 to file an affidavit on the deployment of policemen for VVIP security. The apex beach also said that if states do not file their replies by Monday, their home secretaries will have to appear personally in the court on February 16.

The issue of women security has been in focus after the brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedical student inside a moving bus in Delhi. People protested in large numbers at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate demanding action against the culprits and steps to ensure the safety of women.

On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had also admitted that women in the city did not feel safe. "At this moment there is no feeling of safety in Delhi following yesterday's rape at Lajpat Nagar," Dikshit said. Sheila Dikshit's statement came after a 25-year-old man working with a local power distribution company allegedly assaulted a girl brutally by shoving an iron rod into her mouth while attempting to rape her.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)