A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as police personnel inside Astha Kunj Park near Delhi’s Kalkaji Mandir on September 21.
According to Delhi Police, the teenager had visited the temple with a male friend before entering the park, where the accused allegedly approached them, threatened them with police action and separated the girl from her friend.
She alleged that all three men sexually assaulted her, with one accused, identified as Asif, allegedly threatening her with a firearm and knife. A PCR call was received around 8:45 pm, following which police reached the park and began an investigation.
Asif was later arrested after an alleged exchange of fire with police in Amar Colony, while the other two accused, identified as Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh, were subsequently apprehended. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
A False Police Identity
According to the police account, the teenager and her 17-year-old male friend visited Kalkaji Mandir at around 7 pm before entering Astha Kunj Park. Around 7:30 pm, three men allegedly approached them and claimed to be policemen.
The accused allegedly used police and legal terminology to intimidate the teenagers, telling them that they were doing something wrong and could face police action. Joint Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar said the accused allegedly “posed as policemen” and attempted to act under that false identity.
The men allegedly separated the girl from her friend and took her towards a secluded area. Police said Asif allegedly threatened the teenager with a firearm and knife before sexually assaulting her, while the other two allegedly assaulted her subsequently. Her friend was allegedly restrained during the incident.
The incident was reported through a PCR call at around 8:45 pm. Officers from Amar Colony police station reached the park and found the teenager and her friend. She was taken to AIIMS for medical examination, while crime and forensic teams examined the location and collected evidence.
An FIR was registered under provisions of the BNS, including those relating to gang rape of a woman under 18, criminal conspiracy, causing hurt and criminal intimidation, along with relevant provisions of the POCSO Act. Police also began examining CCTV footage and tracing the accused.
Manhunt And Arrests
Police formed several teams to trace the accused. Asif was located near District Magistrate’s Office Road in Amar Colony, where police said he allegedly opened three rounds of fire while officers attempted to intercept him.
According to police, one bullet struck Head Constable Rajesh’s bulletproof jacket, after which the officer allegedly fired two rounds in self-defence, hitting Asif in the right leg. He was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. The Indian Express reported that police subsequently apprehended the other two accused based on information obtained during the investigation.
Delhi Police have identified the other accused as Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh. Police said all three were apprehended following the hours-long manhunt. The investigation is now focused on establishing the individual roles of the accused, examining forensic evidence and CCTV footage, and reconstructing the sequence of events.
Police have also highlighted security concerns at Astha Kunj Park. Joint CP Vijay Kumar said the large park has several access points, broken portions of its boundary wall, gates without guards and poorly lit areas.
The case has also emerged amid several reported sexual-assault cases involving minors in Delhi over the past two weeks. India Today reported that the Kalkaji incident was the fourth such reported case in 14 days.
Recent cases include the alleged sexual assault of a six-year-old girl on September 21, the alleged rape of a Class 6 girl in Sadar Bazaar and the gang rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Swaroop Nagar. These are separate cases, with no reported evidence linking their accused.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The allegations in Kalkaji are a reminder that public safety depends not only on swift investigation after a crime but also on prevention, secure public spaces and trust in institutions. The alleged impersonation of police officers is particularly concerning because authority and public confidence are meant to protect people, not become tools of intimidation. At the same time, the investigation must proceed through evidence and due process, with the survivor’s dignity and privacy protected throughout.
