Key Highlights
- Every Delhi district will host a minimum of two dedicated anti‑eve‑teasing teams supervised by the ACP of the Crime‑against‑Women cell.
- Each unit comprises one Inspector, one Sub‑Inspector, four women constables, five men constables and a technical aide from the anti‑auto‑theft wing.
- Patrols are conducted daily using a four‑wheel vehicle and several motorcycles, with plain‑clothed female officers targeting high‑risk zones.
- Surprise inspections on DTC buses and trains are coordinated with transport staff to prompt immediate reporting.
- The squads differ from Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Anti‑Romeo’ squads by integrating prevention, real‑time intervention, and victim‑support services.
Detailed Insights
The Delhi Police’s ‘Shishtachar’ programme seeks to transform the capital’s public safety landscape by embedding specialised teams within each police district. Senior officials, primarily the ACP of the Crime‑against‑Women (CAW) cell, oversee the squads to ensure disciplined execution of three core functions: prevention of harassment, swift intervention when incidents occur, and provision of assistance to victims thereafter.
Operational logistics grant each squad one four‑wheeler for rapid response and a fleet of two‑wheelers for navigating congested streets. Plain‑clothed female officers, a distinctive feature of the initiative, increase the likelihood of detecting subtle forms of eve‑teasing that male officers might overlook. Routine patrols focus on identified hotspots—areas flagged by district DCPs as vulnerable—and at least two targeted operations are mandated per day.
Collaboration with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) enables unannounced checks on public transport, encouraging commuters to report misconduct instantly. Findings from these checks are relayed to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) for follow‑up action.
While the BJP’s earlier promise referenced an ‘Anti‑Romeo Squad’ modeled after Uttar Pradesh’s effort, the ‘Shishtachar’ squads expand the mandate. In addition to deterrence, they actively intervene during incidents and extend post‑incident counselling and legal aid, thereby offering a more holistic safety net for women.
Key Concepts
- Crime‑against‑Women (CAW) Cell: A specialised police division that formulates policies and supervises actions aimed at protecting women from gender‑based offences.
- SPUWAC (Special Police Unit for Women and Children): An elite unit tasked with handling cases involving women and minors, providing both investigative and victim‑support services.
- Hotspot: A geographical location identified through crime data and officer intelligence where incidents of harassment are statistically higher.
- Plain‑clothed Surveillance: Deployment of officers without uniforms to observe and apprehend offenders discreetly.
- Anti‑Romeo Squad: A police team in Uttar Pradesh aimed at curbing predatory behaviour, primarily focused on preventive measures.