In order to protect women, Delhi Police’s “anti-eve teasing” or “Shishtachar” squads will soon be patrolling the city’s public areas. It has been requested that the squads “focus on enforcing the law, rather than imposing personal or cultural morality on individuals.” The program is a component of Delhi Police’s endeavors to prevent crimes against women, such as harassment, molestation, and eve-teasing.
The BJP pledged in its Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 manifesto to install “Anti-Romeo Squads” in all public areas and a CCTV camera network throughout the city to maintain safety and security. “These squads will comprise trained personnel, who shall focus on preventing, deterring, and responding to such offences on a real-time basis,” read an order undersigned by Sanjay Arora, Commissioner of Police, on March 8.
In every district, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the Crime Against Women Cell will lead at least two “anti-eve teasing” squads. Each squad will consist of an inspector, a sub-inspector, and four female and five male police officers (Assistant Sub-Inspectors, head constables, and constables).
For technical support, the squad will be accompanied by police officers from the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) or special staff. The “hotspots and vulnerable areas” that endanger women’s safety will be the squads’ main focus. A list of hotspots will be compiled by the District Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). Daily drives in at least two susceptible locations will be mandatory for the squad.
“The squads will operate with a multi-faceted approach involving prevention, intervention, and victim assistance,” read the directives. To identify and discourage criminals, the squads will be clothed in civic attire. “The squads shall conduct surprise checks in public transport and interact with DTC drivers, conductors, and passengers and motivate them to report such incidents,” executive directions added.
It is the responsibility of the district DCPs to make sure that the squads are self-motivated, sympathetic, and sensitive. “Victims should be protected from unnecessary public scrutiny or embarrassment.” The action comes after the Uttar Pradesh police began a “anti-Romeo” campaign in 2017 to combat male harassment of women.
