India

Delhi University Orders Safety Audits, Sets October 12 Deadline for Reports

By Gargi Shukla

University of Delhi (DU) has instructed college principals, department heads and hostel wardens to conduct comprehensive safety audits of their premises to improve women’s safety on campus. The audits must identify blind spots, repair non‑functional lights promptly, install CCTV cameras, prune overgrown trees, and enhance overall visibility. DU has set October 12 as the deadline for submitting detailed inspection reports.

The directive followed an online meeting with key university and college stakeholders, including principals, deans and directors. It comes after the alleged gang rape of a 17‑year‑old school student in Kalkaji and a sexual harassment incident involving two DU female students in Mukherjee Nagar, as well as recent protests by female students demanding stronger security measures.

In a statement dated October 9 signed by DU proctor Manoj Kumar Singh, the university requested that all relevant authorities compile and submit detailed lists highlighting specific women’s safety and security issues by October 12. The statement also urged an increase in police presence around campuses, the deployment of dedicated surveillance teams near colleges and hostels, the installation of sufficient pink booths, and greater use of Vamika police vans.

Additionally, DU recommended gender sensitisation workshops and a seven‑day self‑defence crash course for students in collaboration with the police. The university has asked college, department and hostel officials to work with its engineering department to carry out an infrastructure audit and to address any urgent repair work immediately.