To assess the safety of women in Agra, a woman officer disguised as a tourist took an auto ride late at night. Sukanya Sharma, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), also dialled 112 to evaluate the emergency response system in the city. Wearing a simple white T-shirt and black jeans, she stood outside the Agra Cantt Railway Station and called the police, stating that she was scared as it was late and the streets were deserted.
The officer in contact with her asked for her location and advised her to stand in a safe spot. Shortly after, she received a call from the women's patrol team, who informed her they were on their way to pick her up. Sharma then revealed that they had passed the test and that she was only checking the emergency services.
She later boarded an auto after confirming the fare and drop-off location. While concealing her identity, she engaged the driver in a conversation about women's safety in the city. The driver dropped her off at her destination safely, successfully passing the test.
Activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj applauded Sharma and remarked that this is "the first right step towards women's safety."
"Police in every city should do this. Become a common person and experience the city yourself to understand the challenges people face at night. Good job by Dr Sukanya Sharma," Bhardwaj shared on X.