NEW DELHI — In a major step toward gender-sensitive policing, the Delhi Police is set to inaugurate the city’s first-ever women’s police station within the next few weeks. Located in the Sabzi Mandi police station complex in North Delhi, this pilot project aims to centralize the registration and investigation of all crimes against women, providing a less intimidating environment for victims.
- A Specialized Command: Beyond the CAW Cell
Unlike the existing Crime Against Women (CAW) cells, which primarily handle marital disputes and dowry complaints without the power to register formal FIRs, this new station will function as a fully operational police unit.
Scope of Authority: The station will register and investigate serious offenses, including rape, molestation, stalking, harassment, and POCSO cases involving minor girls.
Streamlined Process: By centralizing these cases, the Delhi Police hopes to improve accountability and ensure the quicker disposal of complaints.
Staffing: The station will be entirely staffed by women personnel and headed by a female Station House Officer (SHO).
- The Pilot & Expansion Strategy
The Sabzi Mandi location was chosen for its existing infrastructure, but officials noted that the Delhi Cantonment police station is being considered as a backup alternative if logistical issues arise.
The “Cyber Cell” Model: Similar to how dedicated cyber police stations were first piloted and then rolled out across all districts, this model will be replicated across Delhi if the North District project proves successful.
Learning from Others: Delhi’s move follows successful models like Telangana’s “She Teams” and the long-standing all-women police stations in Tamil Nadu.
- Addressing Past Failures: From Pink Booths to Full Authority
Senior officers admitted that previous initiatives, such as the “Pink Booths,” struggled because the officers on duty lacked the legal authority to register or investigate cases. This new police station corrects that by giving the all-women team the same legal powers as any other standard police station in the capital.
How the New System Compares
| Feature | Current Local/CAW Model | New Women’s Police Station |
| Registration | Local stations only; CAW cannot register FIRs. | Full power to register FIRs for all crimes against women. |
| Staffing | Mixed gender; often lack specialized sensitivty. | 100% Women staff and female SHO. |
| Key Focus | General crime + limited marital disputes. | Rape, Molestation, POCSO, Stalking, and Harassment. |
| Goal | General Law & Order. | Creating a specialized, accessible, and non-intimidating space. |