Delhi Park Gang-Rape Case: Accused May Have Planned Attack, Say Investigators

Investigators suspect the three men accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl at a DDA park in southeast Delhi may have planned the attack beforehand. They allegedly targeted her on Monday evening while posing as police personnel when she was out celebrating her birthday with a friend.

On Wednesday, Delhi Police added charges of criminal conspiracy to the FIR following the recovery of a gun, a knife and condoms from Asif, one of the accused, according to officers.

A senior officer said police were investigating whether Asif was roaming in the area with condoms and a knife, as he and his two accomplices, Mukesh and Hemant, allegedly intended to target women inside Aastha Kunj Park. Police have also received inputs from multiple people in the area alleging that Asif had repeatedly harassed people.

Police Probe Possible Prior Planning

A police officer said, “We are verifying if he used to carry a weapon and used a similar modus operandi against other women.” Officers also said that multiple pornographic videos were found on Asif’s phone. The investigation has also revealed that Mukesh and Hemant had allegedly deleted their search histories.

The three men, who were arrested on Tuesday, allegedly used police terminology, including “Janab”, and threats to convince the teenager and her friend that they were police officers before sexually assaulting her.

Girl’s Friend Allegedly Held Inside Park

Another police officer said that the accused brothers, Mukesh and Hemant, initially went to an eatery after the incident before returning to their home in Sriniwaspuri. They then allegedly washed their clothes in an attempt to remove evidence.

Officers also said that one of the accused held the girl’s friend inside the park while the victim was taken to another area some distance away. After the incident, the accused allegedly warned the girl not to tell anyone about it. An officer said, “When she returned to her friend, she told her everything, after which her friend made the PCR call.”