Women in Delhi move, study, work and travel late into the night but concerns about harassment, violence and safety remain very real. Over the last decade, governments and police have introduced stronger laws, multiple helplines (112, 181, 14490) and the Himmat Plus app to improve women’s safety, yet many women still do not know how to actually use these tools or when to seek legal help.
Legal Crusader, a Delhi‑NCR–based law office, works with women who face domestic violence, workplace harassment, cyber‑abuse, stalking and other offences, and this guide is meant to explain rights and practical steps clearly, not just in legal language.
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Key Laws Protecting Women’s Safety in Delhi
Constitutional and Criminal‑Law Protections
Women’s safety is ultimately grounded in the Constitution of India: Article 14 guarantees equality before law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex, and Article 21 (source) protects the right to life and personal liberty, which courts have read to include dignity, bodily autonomy and freedom of movement. These rights underpin criminal‑law protections against offences such as assault, sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks and other crimes that disproportionately affect women.
India is in the middle of a major criminal‑law transition: the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act are being replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, with changes to definitions, procedures and punishments that will also affect cases involving women. For Delhi residents, this means that while the spirit of protection continues, procedural aspects like FIR registration, bail, custody and investigation timelines are evolving and need to be understood afresh.
Special Laws on Violence Against Women
Several special statutes exist specifically to address violence against women. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act) allows women facing physical, emotional, sexual, verbal or economic abuse in domestic relationships to seek protection orders, residence orders, monetary reliefs and custody orders through magistrate courts, supported by Protection Officers and service providers. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) requires employers in Delhi and elsewhere to set up Internal Committees, frame policies, and provide a time‑bound mechanism to handle complaints of workplace harassment.
For girls under 18, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act provides stringent procedures, child‑friendly processes and specialised courts for sexual‑offence cases, which is crucial in a large city like Delhi where minors commute to schools, coaching centres and workplaces. In practice, these laws apply to violence within homes, PGs, shared flats, workplaces, public transport and digital spaces, and using them effectively often requires a combination of helpline support, police action and informed legal representation.
National & Delhi Helplines for Women: 112, 181, 14490 and Others
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112
ERSS‑112 is India’s single emergency number that integrates police, fire and ambulance services, introduced across states under the Nirbhaya Fund to provide faster, coordinated emergency response. In many states, including Delhi, women are encouraged to dial 112 in any situation where they feel unsafe in public spaces, at home, or while travelling whether due to stalking, assault, threats, or medical emergencies linked to violence.
Calling 112 connects the caller to a control room operator who can dispatch the nearest police unit or ambulance, and in some states women can also use smartphone shortcuts to trigger an emergency request without unlocking the phone. In Delhi, using 112 alongside Delhi Police’s own helplines and the Himmat Plus app creates a layered safety net, where both local and national systems can respond quickly.
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Women Helpline 181 – Support Beyond Immediate Police Help
Women Helpline 181 functions as a 24×7 counselling and support line that connects women in distress to local services such as police, One Stop Centres, shelters, legal aid, and psychological counselling. While 112 is ideal for urgent emergencies, 181 is often recommended when a woman needs to talk through ongoing domestic violence, controlling or abusive relationships, threats from in‑laws, or harassment at work, and is unsure about immediate police involvement.
Operators on 181 can provide emotional support, basic legal information and referrals to appropriate services in Delhi, including government schemes, shelters and protection mechanisms. For many women, this serves as a first step to understand options before approaching the police or a lawyer.
NCW Women Helpline 14490 – 24×7 National Short Code
In November 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched helpline 14490, a new 24×7 toll‑free short code for women in distress across India. Official NCW material explains that 14490 is integrated with the Commission’s online complaint system and mobile app, enabling women to seek help for domestic violence, sexual harassment, stalking, cyber‑abuse and other gender‑based violence, and have their grievances routed to relevant state authorities, including police and women’s commissions.
This helpline aims to provide faster complaint registration, counselling, and guidance on rights, and it complements existing mechanisms like written complaints to NCW, online forms and state helplines. For a woman in Delhi, 14490 can thus be used alongside 181 and local services to escalate more serious or systemic issues, particularly where local responses are slow or unsatisfactory.
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Other Important Helplines in Delhi
Delhi Police and allied agencies operate several women‑ and child‑focused numbers in addition to national helplines. Official government and police pages list a dedicated Women’s Helpline (commonly known as 1091) and other numbers that route calls to women help desks in police stations, which can provide immediate assistance and connect callers to investigating officers. The child helpline 1098 remains crucial when abuse, trafficking or exploitation involves girls under 18, ensuring specialised child‑protection intervention.
Delhi Police has also set up women help desks at many stations to make it easier and less intimidating for women to walk in and file complaints in person. Combining these with national numbers (112, 181, 14490) gives women multiple pathways to reach help, depending on urgency, comfort level and the nature of the problem.
Himmat & Himmat Plus App – How Delhi Police Uses Tech to Protect Women
What is Himmat / Himmat Plus?
Delhi Police first launched the Himmat app in 2014–2015 as a free safety application for women travelling in the city, allowing users to send an SOS alert sharing their location and audio or video feed directly with the police control room. The idea was to give women a quick‑access panic button that could alert police even if a regular call was difficult, particularly in moving vehicles or threatening situations.
Himmat Plus is the upgraded version promoted by Delhi Police and Delhi government, described in official pages and app‑store listings as a safety app that enables registered users to raise an SOS which transmits GPS coordinates and media to the control room for rapid response. The app is specifically marketed for women’s safety in Delhi and is part of a wider strategy to integrate mobile technology into policing and emergency response.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Using Himmat Plus in Delhi
To use Himmat Plus effectively, a woman in Delhi should follow a few clear steps. First, download the app from trusted sources: the Google Play Store, Apple App Store or official Delhi Police / Delhi government websites, carefully checking that the publisher name is genuine to avoid fake safety apps. Second, complete registration by providing a mobile number and basic details, verifying via OTP, and optionally adding emergency contacts so that alerts can be simultaneously sent to family or friends.
Once registered, the user can raise an SOS within the app—typically by pressing a dedicated emergency button which sends real‑time GPS location and may capture audio/video, relayed to the police control room where operators can dispatch the nearest patrol or PCR vehicle. Best practice is to keep mobile data and GPS active when travelling, maintain battery levels, and, if the app provides a test or demo mode, practice using it so that in an actual emergency it can be triggered quickly and confidently without confusion.
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When Himmat Plus is Especially Useful
Himmat Plus is particularly valuable for women who commute alone at odd hours, such as BPO employees, hospital staff, students, journalists, gig‑workers and professionals returning from late shifts or events. It is also useful for women staying in paying guest accommodation or rented flats away from family support, where a quick and reliable connection to the police can be a crucial safety net.
Using Himmat Plus does not replace calling 112 or speaking directly to the police, but complements them: a woman might press the SOS in the app to silently share location while also calling 112 if possible. The app can be especially helpful inside vehicles or crowded spaces where making a conspicuous phone call could escalate risk, but discretely tapping an on‑screen button is feasible.
Practical Safety Checklist for Women in Delhi
Before You Step Out
A few simple habits significantly improve personal safety. Saving emergency numbers—112, 181, 14490, Delhi Police women helplines and the nearest police station—both in the phone and in written form ensures access even if the device is lost or locked. Sharing live location or trip details with a trusted contact via messaging apps during late‑night or unfamiliar journeys creates an additional safety layer, especially when combined with the Himmat Plus app and in‑app SOS features in cab apps.
Women should also keep basic identification and important cards in separate, secure areas (for example, separate pockets or a small pouch), and avoid broadcasting real‑time location on public social‑media stories. In cabs or autos, checking the vehicle number and driver details against the app and sitting where exit is easier can make it simpler to leave if they feel unsafe, while knowing that 112 and Himmat Plus are available for immediate escalation.
At Home, PGs and Rentals
Delhi Police frequently emphasise mandatory tenant and domestic‑help verification, and news reports show that landlords can face legal action if they skip police verification and the tenant is later involved in crime. For women tenants and PG residents, ensuring that landlords complete verification and insisting on a written rental or PG agreement protects both safety and legal standing if disputes arise.
Understanding local police station jurisdiction, women helpline numbers and resident‑welfare arrangements in the neighbourhood helps create a network of support. In case of harassment, abusive landlords, voyeurism (such as hidden cameras), or attempts at unlawful lock‑outs, clear documentation and early legal advice can stop escalation.
Online Safety and Cyber‑Harassment
Delhi’s increasing digitisation has brought a sharp rise in cyber‑crime: national reports project heavy financial losses to cyber fraud, with common scams including phishing, UPI frauds, fake loan apps, romance scams, sextortion and identity theft. Women are particularly targeted through cyberstalking, non‑consensual sharing of images, deepfake pornography, impersonation on social media, and blackmail using stolen or doctored content.
Victims can use the national cybercrime portal and local cyber units such as the Delhi Police Cyber Crime Cell to register complaints, and may subsequently need to file FIRs or seek court orders, for example to block content or secure data from platforms. In many cases, combining digital evidence preservation (screenshots, URLs, chat logs) with specialised legal support significantly improves the chances of effective investigation and legal remedy.
When and How to Take Legal Action in Delhi
Filing Complaints with Delhi Police
In Delhi, a woman can approach the system in several ways: by dialling 112 for immediate emergencies, visiting the nearest police station, contacting women help desks, using the Himmat Plus app, or filing online complaints for certain types of cases. When visiting a police station, it is helpful to carry identification, a concise written description of the incident, evidence such as screenshots, medical reports and witness details, and, where possible, a trusted accompanying person.
If police refuse to register an FIR in a cognizable case involving violence or serious offences, law and practice allow escalation: complaining to senior officers in writing, sending representations via email, or approaching the magistrate, who can direct the police to register an FIR and investigate. Documenting all interactions—dates, times, names and responses strengthens the woman’s position if further legal steps are required.
Protection Orders, Bail Hearings and Court Proceedings
For domestic violence and threats, the DV Act allows women to seek protection orders preventing the abuser from committing further acts of violence, contacting or visiting them, or dispossessing them from shared residence, and these safeguards can operate alongside criminal provisions such as those dealing with cruelty or hurt. Courts can also grant monetary relief, temporary custody and residence orders to stabilise the situation for the woman and her children.
Under the new criminal‑procedure framework (BNSS and related laws), bail procedures, arrest rules and custody timelines are undergoing changes that may affect how quickly an accused is produced in court, how long they can be detained, and what conditions are attached to bail. For victims, understanding that bail decisions do not mean the case is over and that they can still press for effective prosecution, witness protection and compensation is important for staying engaged with the process.
How Legal Crusader Supports Women in Delhi‑NCR
Legal Crusader assists women in Delhi‑NCR from the first moment of crisis through to full legal resolution. This includes drafting police complaints, written representations to senior officers and NCW, and court pleadings in domestic violence, dowry, cruelty, sexual‑offence, cyber‑crime and harassment matters. The firm helps women obtain protection orders, maintenance, custody and, where necessary, divorce, while coordinating with counsellors, local authorities and helplines when appropriate.
In online and financial‑crime cases, Legal Crusader supports victims in preserving electronic evidence, filing cyber complaints, challenging illegal account freezes or wrongful denials of liability, and pursuing civil and criminal remedies. With accessible initial consultations and a focus on clear, non‑intimidating communication, the team aims to ensure that women do not feel alone when confronting abusers, unresponsive authorities or complex legal systems.
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FAQs on Women’s Safety in Delhi
Is 112 different from 181 and 14490 for women in Delhi?
Yes. 112 is the national emergency number meant for immediate police, fire and medical response, and is best used when there is an urgent threat or ongoing incident such as assault, stalking or a medical emergency. Helplines 181 and 14490, by contrast, focus on counselling, guidance and coordinated assistance in cases of domestic violence, harassment or other distress, with 181 connecting to local women support services and 14490 linking directly to NCW’s complaint mechanisms.
Can I call these helplines anonymously?
Most helplines allow callers to initially describe their situation without giving full details, especially for counselling and early advice, but providing accurate information helps responders assess risk and offer practical solutions. For formal complaints, FIR registration or legal follow‑up, some level of identity disclosure is usually necessary, both for due process and to ensure effective action.
Is Himmat Plus only for women or can anyone use it?
Himmat Plus is presented by Delhi Police as a women’s safety app, designed with women commuters in mind, but technically it can help any registered user who needs urgent police assistance in Delhi. Nonetheless, women remain the primary target group, and public communication about the app focuses on encouraging women to install and regularly use it as part of their safety toolkit.
What should I do if police do not register my FIR in Delhi?
If a cognizable offence is reported and a police station refuses to register an FIR, the law permits escalation to higher officers (such as the Deputy Commissioner of Police) through written complaints or email, and further to the magistrate, who can direct registration and investigation. Keeping copies of all written complaints and replies, and seeking legal assistance to frame the facts clearly, helps ensure that the matter is taken seriously and procedural rights are respected.
When should I contact a lawyer instead of just calling a helpline?
Helplines are ideal for immediate support, basic information and referrals, especially in the early stages of distress or when deciding whether to involve police. A lawyer becomes essential when there is ongoing or escalating violence, the need for protection orders, maintenance or custody, serious criminal offences, repeated police inaction, or complex cyber/financial issues where strategic legal action is required.
Conclusion – Turning Rights and Tools into Real Safety
Delhi today has stronger laws, multiple helplines (112, 181, 14490), and technology like the Himmat Plus app that together can significantly improve women’s safety but only if women know about them and feel confident using them. Saving key numbers, installing Himmat Plus, understanding basic legal rights and being willing to seek help early are practical steps that every woman, friend and family member can take to turn abstract rights into real‑world protection.
When problems persist, when violence escalates, or when the system feels unresponsive, reaching out to a trusted legal team can make a decisive difference. Legal Crusader supports women across Delhi‑NCR with confidential consultations and representation in domestic violence, harassment, cyber‑crime, property and family disputes, helping them navigate complaints, court processes and long‑term safety planning with both legal skill and human understanding.