NEW DELHI: All three men accused of posing as policemen before allegedly gang-raping a minor near Delhi’s Kalkaji Temple are now in custody, with police arresting the two suspects who had remained on the run.
Hemant and Mukesh were arrested on Tuesday (Sept 22), hours after a third accused was apprehended following a brief exchange of fire with police. The first accused has been identified as Asif.
The alleged assault took place at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Temple in south-east Delhi on Monday evening. A case has been registered under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant laws.
Accused allegedly posed as policemen to threaten minor
According to police, the teenager was with a friend when three men approached them and allegedly claimed to be police personnel.
The men allegedly used the pretence to intimidate and threaten the two before the minor was sexually assaulted inside the park.
Police received a PCR call about the incident at around 8.45 pm. A team subsequently reached the spot, and the minor was taken for medical examination.
Investigators began scanning CCTV footage from the park and adjoining areas as they worked to identify and trace the accused.
First accused caught after police shootout
The first breakthrough came when police apprehended one of the accused after an exchange of fire.
Reports identified him as Asif.
Police then launched a search for the remaining two suspects. Hemant and Mukesh have since been arrested, bringing all three accused in the case into custody.
Police are questioning the accused to establish the sequence of events and their individual alleged roles in the crime.
Further investigation is underway. - The Statesman/ANN
