Priyanka Gandhi condemns government’s laxity on women’s safety after Delhi minor’s murder

On Saturday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X to voice a fresh outcry over the state of women’s safety in the capital. She referenced the brutal murder of a 16‑year‑old girl in Swaroop Nagar – a case that, according to her, epitomises the government's inability to act when it matters most.

“In Delhi, all limits of cruelty were crossed against a 17‑year‑old girl, and after that, she was brutally murdered. Just a few days earlier, another minor girl was raped. No one in the country is willing to take responsibility for women’s safety—only empty talk about women’s development is offered,” Gandhi wrote, the post echoing a mixture of anger and disappointment.

She added that hundreds of women face atrocities every day, yet many never see a First Information Report (FIR) filed against their aggressors. “Both society and the government have completely failed in granting women their rights to safety, freedom, and equality,” the Congress leader asserted.

The grim episode came to light on the morning of 13 September, when Delhi police received a tip about a lifeless body lying in an open field near Jaipal Rana’s land on Kushak Road. After combing through footage from more than 50 CCTV cameras, investigators identified a tempo that appeared linked to the crime.

Four suspects have now been taken into custody, including three juveniles aged 16, 17 and 17. The adult accused, identified as Shivam alias Sudama alias Chuchu, son of Ganesh from Gali No. 2, Khadda Colony, is also under investigation.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has moved suo motu, filing a formal note with the Delhi Police Commissioner. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar demanded a time‑bound, thorough probe, rigorous prosecution and the preservation of all forensic evidence. She also called for swift action under the POCSO Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and, where applicable, the Juvenile Justice Act for the younger accused.

In its petition, the commission sought security, legal aid, counselling and compensation for the grieving family, and it asked for an Action‑Taken Report within seven days. An FIR (No. 380/2026) has already been lodged at Swaroop Nagar police station, citing sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, POCSO and related statutes.

Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks have reignited a long‑standing debate about the efficacy of existing laws and the political will to enforce them. As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains on Delhi’s authorities to demonstrate that the safety of women and girls is more than just rhetoric.