On Thursday, 22 January 2026, Delhi Police arrested a 40-year-old e-rickshaw driver, identified as Durgesh, for the alleged kidnapping and rape of an 11-year-old girl in Central Delhi.
The child, who sells roses at traffic signals to support her family, was allegedly lured into the vehicle on 11 January in the Prasad Nagar area with a false promise of help in selling her flowers.
She was allegedly taken to a secluded forest area near Professor Ram Nath Vij Marg, assaulted, and left unconscious and bleeding.
After regaining consciousness and reaching her family, the survivor was hospitalised, leading to an intensive investigation where police analysed footage from nearly 300 CCTV cameras to trace the vehicle and apprehend the culprit.
Delhi Rape Case
As reported by NDTV, the survivor is an 11-year-old girl whose family relies on the street trade of flowers at busy intersections in the national capital. This incident highlights the extreme risks faced by children in the informal sector who are often left unprotected at traffic signals.
According to the police, the accused, Durgesh, had been observing the girl for several days at the Prasad Nagar red light before deciding to strike.
By exploiting her innocence and her economic need to finish her day’s work, the perpetrator allegedly lured her into his e-rickshaw after dropping off his regular passengers, promising to help her sell all her roses.
Abduction & Abandonment
Once inside the vehicle, the child was driven to a secluded forest area located near Professor Ram Nath Vij Marg. It was here that the brutal assault took place.
Believing the girl to be dead due to her unconscious state and severe bleeding, Durgesh allegedly fled the scene, leaving her abandoned in the wilderness.
The ordeal only came to light when the girl regained consciousness and managed to stagger back to her family. Her blood-soaked condition immediately alarmed her parents, who rushed her to a local hospital and notified the authorities, sparking a high-priority criminal investigation.
Search Ops
The breakthrough in the case came after a massive technical surveillance operation. “Footage from around 300 CCTV cameras installed on nearly 15 routes was examined. In one of the clips, the girl was seen boarding an e-rickshaw,” a senior police official told NDTV.
The registration number led them directly to Durgesh, who reportedly confessed during interrogation that he had planned the abduction after seeing her previously. Police have recovered blood-stained clothing as evidence.
A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections for kidnapping and rape has been registered. The survivor is currently undergoing intensive medical treatment and psychological counselling.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the safety of our most vulnerable citizens, especially children on the streets, is the true barometer of a civilised society.
While we commend the Delhi Police for their meticulous use of technology to catch the perpetrator, we must ask why an 11-year-old was in a position of such risk in the first place.
We advocate for a system rooted in empathy and proactive protection, where child welfare services and street-level patrolling work in harmony to prevent such horrors.
