New Delhi
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl at Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park has raised questions about security at the sprawling 142-acre green space near Kalkaji Temple, particularly after investigators found that locals had previously raised concerns about one of the accused.
Police said people in the area had allegedly seen Asif, 30, carrying a knife and had complained about his behaviour to park staff and security guards. There were also allegations that he and his associates had harassed couples visiting the park.
A 17-year-old girl was gang-raped in Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park on Monday by Asif, Mukesh Singh, and Hemant Singh, raising security concerns as locals had previously reported Asif for erratic behavior and harassment.
However, those complaints were never formally reported to the police, investigators said.
The incident took place between 7.15 pm and 7.30 pm on Monday, when the Class 11 student was at the park with a 17-year-old male friend on her birthday. Police have arrested Asif and brothers Mukesh Singh, 24, and Hemant Singh, 31, in connection with the case.
According to investigators, the three men were known to frequent the park, particularly at night. A senior police officer said Asif had previously been seen carrying a knife, while police were also examining claims that the men had harassed couples in the area.
“We found that people mostly complained that Asif was generally seen with a knife. Also, we are probing allegations that the three would harass some couples. This was never reported to us, so we are looking for more proof,” the officer said.
Park staff, security guards, workers at a nearby godown and regular visitors also identified Asif as a person who had allegedly caused trouble in the area, police said.
The investigation moved quickly after the incident.
Asif was arrested around 6 am on Tuesday in Amar Colony following a brief exchange of fire, police said. An unlicensed firearm and a knife were allegedly recovered from him.
Mukesh and Hemant were later arrested from their home in Sri Niwaspuri.
Police are now examining whether the three men could have been involved in similar incidents in the past or whether other women may have been targeted at the park.
Investigators said the men had allegedly been seen coming from the Okhla Mandi area with a knife and spending time around the park at night.
Police also said a firearm, knife and condoms were allegedly found in the possession of the accused on the night of the incident. Investigators are examining whether the items indicate that the attack was planned.
What police say happened that evening
During questioning, the accused allegedly told police that they had spent around 45 minutes moving around the park before noticing the two teenagers sitting in a secluded area.
According to investigators, the men allegedly approached them while posing as policemen and threatened them.
Police later examined CCTV footage from areas around the park and checked call detail records to trace the movements of the accused following the incident.
Investigators said Asif left after learning that police were searching for him. The two brothers allegedly went to a restaurant before returning to their home in Sri Niwaspuri.
Police said the brothers washed their clothes after returning home. Their clothes were later recovered from the area, investigators said.
The brothers’ phones were also seized. Police said several media files had recently been deleted and that the Forensic Science Laboratory would attempt to recover the data.
Investigators also said they found what they described as objectionable and pornographic material on Asif’s phone. The device has been sent for forensic examination.
Police verify backgrounds
Investigators are also looking into the backgrounds of the three accused.
Police said Asif allegedly possessed an old unlicensed firearm and are trying to establish how he acquired it.
Hemant has reportedly told investigators that he studied law at a public university in Rohtak and completed his course in 2014-15. Police are verifying the claim. He is also said to have told investigators that he was preparing for competitive examinations.
Police are separately looking into allegations that Hemant was removed from a gym near Garhi village about a month ago after women allegedly complained about his behaviour. Investigators have spoken to gym staff and are yet to question the gym owner.
Mukesh is reportedly a final-year B.Sc Mathematics student at a college in Palwal.
Residents recall previous trouble
News of the arrests also prompted reactions from residents of Sri Niwaspuri, where the two brothers lived.
A woman in her 40s, who did not want to be identified, said neighbours generally kept their distance from the brothers.
“We hardly spoke to them though they are our neighbours. They would pick up fights over petty issues and create ruckus. Nobody wanted to talk to them. In fact, my children and husband started avoiding them. They were often at the park,” she said.
The police investigation is continuing. Officers are questioning park employees, security guards and other people familiar with the area as they try to piece together the events leading up to the attack and determine whether the accused had previously been involved in any similar incidents.
