Voicing concern over the "alarming" increase in rape cases in the national capital, the Delhi High Court today asked the Centre and the city police to find out the "root cause" of such incidents.


"It is surprising as to what is happening in Delhi. Find out the root cause of such incidents," a bench headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan said.


"There is something wrong somewhere with Delhi. People have become mad. Other aspects we can understand," the bench said after Delhi Police stated that mere policing will not stop such kind of incidents.


The court also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Delhi Police to look into the sudden rise in rape incidents and find out their root cause to curb the menace.


"Most of these accused belong to nearby States and there is a need to find out the ways to prevent these kind of occurrences," the bench said, referring to the recent rape of a five-year-old allegedly by her neighbours in east Delhi.


"Everybody is very sad as to what is happening in Delhi. Look what has happened to a child of five years recently," the bench said, adding, "Now we will have to see as to how such crimes can be stopped."