The Delhi High Court on Wednesday criticised the Centre for its treatment of Delhi Police and pulled it up for not releasing funds for recruitments and making additional posts. The court said the police force need not work under the Centre, and even suggested it function independently and “be more aggressive”. The bench comprising Justices BD Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva were hearing petitions filed on women’s safety in Delhi, filed after the December 2012 gangrape.

The court came down hard on the Union government, The Indian Express reported, adding that even malls cost money, but taxpayers should get safety in return. It also criticised it for being as disappointing as the earlier Congress government in its concern for women's safety.

The finance ministry reportedly said it would cost an additional Rs 450 crore a year for 14,000 additional posts in the Delhi Police. Delhi Police also told the court it had a requirement of an additional 64,000 personnel but that the Centre reduced it to 14,000. The Ministry of Home Affairs had approved the recruitments of these 14,000 security personnel but the finance ministry did not act on it. The court also asked for details on the current police to people ratio and other information, which will be heard on January 27.