The National Commission for Women on Thursday criticised the Delhi police and said no prompt action was taken in the alleged rape of a woman in a moving car.
The NCW said it would approach the lieutenant governor and chief minister for creating an action plan to make the capital more secure for women within three months.
"A police van was sent in response to the complaint, which kept searching in vain for the car in which she was abducted. More vans were sent, but later. Had adequate number of vans been sent in the first instance, the crime could have been prevented," NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told a press conference.
Raising the issue of sanitation facilities for women in slums in the wake of the incident, Vyas said, "The victim had gone to answer nature's call on the roadside. The area does have a Sulabh toilet. It is in pathetic situation, forcing the women to go elsewhere," she said.
The 23-year-old victim is a resident of a slum cluster in Mayapuri area.
"Delhi is indeed unsafe for women, as shown by incidents. What is needed is an action plan, which includes aspects such as security arrangements and sanitation facilities for women," Vyas said.
She said she had sought a report on the incident from Police Commissioner K K Paul within the next two to three days.
She said ever since the alleged rape, which has refreshed memory of the infamous Dhaula Khuan abduction and rape of a college girl in a moving vehicle, the commission had been in constant touch with the police about the investigation into the case.
"We have been informed by the police that the Mayapuri SHO was suspended as demanded by us and the police have arranged for a place to put up the woman and her husband," Vyas informed.
Referring to the commission's recommendations to the Delhi police following the May eight Dhaula Khuan rape case, Vyas said one major demand-- that `mahila desks' be set up at every police station-- was fulfilled.
"But gaps still remain in steps taken by the police. They are yet to crack down on vehicles with tinted glasses," she said.
She also complained that the police was yet to file a chargesheet in the May 8 case. "Laws are of no use if police action is delayed," she said.
"The major demands of the commission on the issue of rape is creation of stringent laws, prompt police action, rehabilitation of the victim and speedy trial of the case," Vyas said.
