A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men at Astha Kunj Park near Delhi’s Kalkaji Mandir after the accused allegedly posed as policemen and separated her from her male friend, according to Delhi Police. The incident took place on Monday evening, September 21, and the police have since arrested the three accused.
Men Allegedly Posed as Police Officers
According to the police account, the teenager had visited Kalkaji Mandir with a male friend before entering Astha Kunj Park.Around 7:30 p.m., three men allegedly approached the two and claimed to be policemen.
They reportedly separated the girl from her friend and threatened the teenagers with arrest. Police said the girl was then allegedly sexually assaulted inside the park.
A PCR call was reportedly made at around 8:45 p.m., following which officers from Amar Colony police station reached the park and found the girl with her friend.
Case Registered Under POCSO
Police registered a case under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on the minor's statement. Investigators also examined CCTV footage from the area as part of the effort to identify and trace the accused.
All Three Accused Arrested
In a major development on Tuesday, Delhi Police arrested all three men accused in the case. One of them, identified as Asif, was arrested after a brief exchange of fire with police in southeast Delhi, according to reports.
Police said Asif allegedly fired at the police team when officers attempted to intercept him. He was injured and taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. A bullet reportedly struck the bulletproof jacket of a police head constable.
The other two accused were subsequently arrested, and police are questioning all three as investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.
Park Security Under Scanner
The case has also brought attention to security conditions at Astha Kunj Park. Police said the large park has several access points, with parts of its boundary reportedly broken and some areas poorly lit. The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the accused will be tested through the legal process.