Delhi L-G Sandhu reviews community policing, women and senior citizen safety
Synopsis
Delhi L-G T.S. Sandhu's meeting with Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar went beyond routine review — it surfaced a gap in senior citizen app coverage and put Shishtachar Squads on notice. With directives to expand the app's reach and enforce zero tolerance on street harassment, the L-G is tightening accountability on two of Delhi's most politically visible safety mandates.
Key Takeaways
Sandhu met Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on 20 August to review community policing and public safety measures.
The L-G reviewed the Delhi Police Senior Citizen Mobile Application and directed an expanded reassessment of coverage and registrations.
Shishtachar Squads — deployed against eve-teasing and street harassment near schools, transit hubs, and markets — had their performance and deployment examined.
Sandhu reiterated a zero-tolerance policy on crimes targeting women and senior citizens across the capital.
Security deployment inside Pink Buses and emergency response mechanisms for women commuters were also assessed.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Thursday, 20 August met with Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to review the capital's community policing framework, with a sharp focus on safety measures for senior citizens and women commuters across the National Capital Territory. The high-level meeting assessed the operational effectiveness of dedicated platforms and specialised squads currently deployed across Delhi.
Senior Citizen Mobile App Under the Scanner
A central item on the agenda was the Delhi Police Senior Citizen Mobile Application, which the L-G reviewed in terms of its functioning, adoption rates, and operational reach. Sandhu took stock of outreach drives, registration numbers, and beat-level police interactions with elderly residents across the city.
The L-G underlined the need for prompt grievance redressal, robust emergency assistance, and regular visits by local police personnel to elderly households. He further directed that the senior citizen count be reassessed and the application's coverage expanded accordingly — signalling a push to close gaps in last-mile outreach.
Shishtachar Squads: Performance and Deployment Reviewed
The meeting also closely examined the ground-level performance of the Shishtachar Squads — specialised units tasked with curbing eve-teasing, preventing street harassment, and enforcing public order near educational institutions, transit hubs, and busy marketplaces. Sandhu stressed the need for heightened vigilance, proactive patrolling, and a zero-tolerance approach toward offenders to ensure a secure environment for women and girl students.
Women's Safety on Pink Buses
The L-G also received an update on the dedicated deployment of police personnel and security staff inside Pink Buses — Delhi's women-priority public transport service. Reaffirming what he described as a non-negotiable commitment to women's transit security, Sandhu reiterated that visible trained staff on board, coupled with rapid emergency response mechanisms, are essential to creating a fear-free travel experience on Delhi's public transport network.
Broader Mandate: Zero Tolerance on Crimes Against Vulnerable Groups
Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance against crimes targeting women and senior citizens, Sandhu called upon the Delhi Police to maintain continuous vigilance and institutional empathy. Officials said the directives are aimed at ensuring that every resident can move through the capital with safety and confidence. Further operational reviews are expected as implementation of the L-G's directions is tracked at the ground level.
Point of View
But the directives are not. Ordering a reassessment of senior citizen app coverage suggests the current numbers are either outdated or under-representative — a quiet admission that outreach has not kept pace with Delhi's ageing population. Similarly, placing Shishtachar Squads under direct L-G scrutiny raises the stakes for a unit whose effectiveness is hard to measure beyond arrest tallies. The real test is whether these reviews translate into verifiable outcome metrics — response times, grievance resolution rates, harassment incident trends — or remain headline commitments that cycle back for review next quarter.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed in the Delhi L-G and Police Commissioner meeting on 20 August?
Delhi L-G T.S. Sandhu and Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar reviewed community policing initiatives, the Senior Citizen Mobile Application, Shishtachar Squad deployments, and women's safety measures on Pink Buses. The meeting focused on strengthening safety for senior citizens and women commuters across Delhi.
What is the Delhi Police Senior Citizen Mobile Application?
It is a dedicated app by Delhi Police designed to provide emergency assistance, grievance redressal, and regular police contact for elderly residents. The L-G directed that its coverage be reassessed and expanded to reach more senior citizens across the city.
What are Shishtachar Squads?
Shishtachar Squads are specialised Delhi Police units deployed to curb eve-teasing, prevent street harassment, and maintain public order near educational institutions, transit hubs, and crowded marketplaces. Their performance and ground-level deployment were reviewed at the meeting.
How is Delhi Police ensuring women's safety on Pink Buses?
Dedicated police personnel and trained security staff are deployed inside Pink Buses, Delhi's women-priority public transport service. The L-G reaffirmed that visible staffing and rapid emergency response on these buses are central to the city's women's transit safety strategy.
What is the L-G's stated policy on crimes against women and senior citizens?
L-G T.S. Sandhu has reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on all crimes targeting women and senior citizens, directing Delhi Police to maintain continuous vigilance and institutional empathy to ensure residents can move through the capital safely.
