New Delhi, Oct 3

The Delhi High Court Thursday expressed its anguish at the inadequate number of women police personnel and said that at least 50 percent posts should be filled by women.

A bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Manmohan said: "Knowing well that the incidents (relating to lack of safety of women) are happening in the city, at least 50 percent of the posts should be filled by women police personnel." 

Referring to a police report giving detail about the total number personnel in the force, the bench said: "To reach 30 percent reservation for women, it will take 10 years."

Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan, appearing for police, admitted that the ratio of men to women in Delhi Police is "less than 6 percent".

The court had earlier asked police to file an affidavit disclosing the number of vacancies of assistant sub-inspectors, sub-inspectors and inspectors, including the number of women personnel. 

Going by the affidavit of Delhi government, stating that the state-run forensic laboratory in Rohini gets a large number cases for examination and takes years to examine a case and send a report, the bench expressed its displeasure over the delay.

"If the forensic lab takes years to examine a case and send a report, how do you expect the courts to dispose of the criminal case," the bench asked counsel appearing for the city government.

In its affidavit, the government said: "In view of pendency of case exhibits, at present a case for examination comes in 2 years in chemistry division, 3-4 years in DNA division and 5 years in documentation." 

As of Aug 31, 2013, a total number of 10,332 cases are pending but manpower, space and other infrastructure facilities have not increased proportionally, according to the affidavit.

The government has decided to establish three regional FSLs in view of large number of cases but the Delhi Development Authority is yet to sanction the land, the affidavit added. 

The court also asked the lieutenant governor (LG), who is DDA chairman, to hold a meeting with other concerned departments to address the land issues and also shortage of staff and inadequate infrastructure.

The court had asked the central and Delhi governments to file affidavits disclosing the number of forensic laboratories in the city and the time taken by them in sending report in each case.

Taking suo-moto cognizance of the continued lack of safety of women in the city post-Dec 16 gang rape incident, the court also directed the central government to apprise it of the steps taken to sensitise the public on issues relating to women safety.

By:IANS