Shinde announces safety measures, bans tinted glass, curtains in Delhi buses

In the wake of the brutal gangrape of a girl in Delhi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde addressed the Lok Sabha today, announcing some measures to check crime against women in Delhi and ensure their safety in buses.

Shinde announced that a drive would be launched to ensure the removal of tinted glasses and curtains from buses. “It has been decided to crack down on all buses having tinted glasses and curtains. They will be impounded,” he said.

Shinde also said more PCR vans would be stationed across the city, while patrolling would also be increased.“The bus had tinted glasses and curtains and therefore the PCRs were not able to detect the crime taking place in the bus. PCRs are in every corner, and every hour they will carry out a patrol.”

On the extent of punishment, Shinde said, “Rape punishment have been enhanced. Punishment can be up to life imprisonment.” On Tuesday, opposition leader Sushma Swaraj had urged for death penalty for the rape accused.

Among the other safety measures, Shinde also announced that bus drivers will have to display their licenses and helplines numbers in a prominent location in the vehicle. “Delhi police vehicles will have GPS to be monitored at central control room.”

“The Delhi police shall undertake verification of drivers, staff of buses and if operated by unverified staff they will face action,” he added.

Apart from these measures, all commercial buses will be directed to keep their lights on in the night while plying. Shinde also said that a police team with a woman IPS official has been directed to visit the victim in hospital daily to review the victim’s condition.

The statement created an uproar however, with opposition MPs saying that the measures were inadequate and did not answer sufficient questions.

Shinde announced the safety measures after he met a team of Delhi police officials earlier this morning

The meeting comes a day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi shot off a strong-worded letters to Home Minister Shinde and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, saying it was a “matter of shame” that such incidents happen with painful regularity.

The girl was raped allegedly by six men in a moving bus, which had tinted glass and curtains on it on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, there were protests against the incident at Police Headquarters, the Chief Minister’s residence, and Jantar Mantar.

The girl continues to be in critical state, doctors said.