Delhi minor allegedly gang-raped by 3 men posing as cops; one held after gunfire

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as policemen inside a park near Delhi’s Kalkaji Mandir, in yet another case raising concerns over the safety of minors in the capital.

According to the complaint, the girl visited Kalkaji Mandir with her male friend at around 7 pm on Monday.

Victim undergoes medical examination

After offering prayers, the two went to a park near the temple at around 7:30 pm. The three accused, believed to be between 25 and 30 years old, allegedly approached them and identified themselves as policemen.

Also read | 17-year-old Delhi girl allegedly gang-raped, murdered; 3 juveniles among 4 held

The accused allegedly threatened the two and sexually assaulted the girl, police said. One of them allegedly brandished a firearm and a knife before sexually assaulting her. Two others allegedly assaulted her subsequently. The accused later threatened both the girl and her friend, police said.

A PCR call reporting the alleged rape at the park between Kalkaji Mandir and ISKCON Temple was received at 8:45 pm. A police team was subsequently sent to the spot, they said.

The girl, who is a Delhi resident, was taken for a medical examination, police said. Further legal action is being taken based on her statement.

One accused held after shootout

Police examined CCTV footage from the park and nearby areas to trace the accused and establish the sequence of events. Investigators also collected details about people who may have been present in or around the park when the incident allegedly occurred.

As the probe progressed, several teams were formed to track down the accused. One of the teams received information about one of them being near DM Office Road in Amar Colony, following which police laid a trap there.

When the accused was intercepted, he allegedly opened fire at the police team. Despite being asked to surrender, he allegedly fired three rounds at the cops. Police then shot him in the right leg. The arrested accused was identified as Asif, who works at Okhla Mandi. The search for the other two accused is underway.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining two accused, police said.

Fourth minor assault case in 10 days

It is the fourth reported case involving the rape or alleged sexual assault of a minor in Delhi in the past 10 days.

Also read | Delhi bus gang-rape: Police probe teen’s nearly three-hour ordeal inside sleeper bus

On September 13, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and killed by four people, including three minors, in Northwest Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar.

On September 16, a 10-year-old Class 6 student was allegedly sexually assaulted after her hands and legs were tied inside a shop in North Delhi’s Sadar Bazar area.

On September 21, the case of a 15-year-old girl from Kishanganj in Bihar, who was allegedly held captive and raped for two months in Delhi, also came to light.