Lady Shri Ram College's danger zone: Dark 500m stretch in spotlight after minor's gang-rape

A solidarity march with 400-500 participants highlighted concerns over inadequate lighting and patrolling, as students navigate risk-filled routes.

For students of Lady Shri Ram College, the evening commute from college to home often comes with a peril: traversing a 500-metre lane right opposite the back gate, which turns into a dark spot-filled route after sunset, leading to localities where most outstation students reside.

Students of LSR take part in a protest march near the college on Wednesday, raising concerns over women’s safety following the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

Sharing concerns over safety issues, around 400 to 500 students of the college held a solidarity march up to the Moolchand Metro station and back between 4pm and 6.30pm. Students held posters, calling for better security to ensure women’s safety in the Capital. Among the posters displayed were signs such as “Moral policing women will not stop rape” and “A woman’s body isn’t a battleground for your power”.

The protesters raised concerns over inadequate lighting, lack of regular patrolling, insufficient CCTV surveillance and a dysfunctional pink booth in the area.

Students, especially those who use the 500m lane to go to their accommodations in three blocks of Amar Colony, parts of Kailash Colony, East of Kailash, Zamrudpur and around the National Park, said they follow a set of safety precautions.

This routine has persisted for decades, underscoring a long-standing safety concern that remains unresolved, say students.

HT took a walk with 21-year-old Fellah Fajar, a fourth-year student, who resides in Amar Colony and walks to college every day. A 600-metre walk, comprising a shortcut to access the back gate of the college, leaves her anxious on a daily basis. HT found at least two dark spots on the lane providing access to the lane in question.

“During the day, it’s still okay because the district magistrate’s office is at the end of the road. It’s after sunset (when the problem arises); we are scared in case we have to stay in the library or for society events,” said Fajar.

Students said the problem becomes more pronounced in winter. A 20-year-old student, who lives opposite the college and has to pass through the National Park, recounted an incident of a man masturbating in front of her and trying to talk to her. “I have been catcalled and clapped at. I just ignored it. People share on the group to watch out for a number, or for a particular person on a stretch,” she said.

Deputy commissioner of police (south east) Vineet Kumat and joint commissioner of police (southern range) Vijay Kumar visited the college and assured a 24-hour police presence at the pink booth, improved street lighting, and better deployment.

Students questioned how they could engage in college life and maximise their potential if they always worried about their safety. “Always have to keep in mind that it's getting dark,” Fajar said.