Kalkaji mandir park gang rape case: How a lawyer, BSc student and a trader posing as cops turned Faridabad teenager's birthday outing into a nightmare

A 17-year-old Class XI student from Faridabad was allegedly gang-raped inside Aastha Kunj Park near Delhi's Nehru Place after three men posing as policemen separated her from her male friend, police said. The girl had visited Kalkaji Mandir with her 17-year-old friend on Monday evening and later entered the park. Police have arrested all three accused and one of them is injured after he allegedly opened fire at a police team on Tuesday morning.

As per a TOI report, the three accused have been identified as Hemant, who police said is a lawyer, his brother Mukesh, a final-year BSc Mathematics student, and Asif, an onion wholesaler who worked at Okhla Mandi. Police said the men threatened the teenagers by claiming they were policemen and warning them that a case could be registered against them as they were doing 'wrong thing in the park'.

Kalka Ji Mandir Rape Case: How the Faridabad teenagers were approached

According to the girl's statement, she and her friend first visited Kalkaji Mandir for "darshan" before entering Aastha Kunj Park through Gate No. 7, near the Lotus Temple side, around 7pm. The three men allegedly approached the teenagers in plain clothes and claimed to be policemen. They allegedly told the two that they were minors and were doing something wrong. The men also allegedly threatened to inform their parents and register a case.


Police said the accused separated the girl from her friend and took her towards a secluded portion of the park. The boy was allegedly slapped and beaten while the men took the girl away. Joint commissioner of police (southern range) Vijay Kumar said, "A PCR call was received at 8:45 pm on Monday regarding a 17-year-old girl from Faridabad who had come here with her 17-year-old male friend. They first went to the temple to offer prayers and then to the Aastha Kunj Park, towards a somewhat secluded area."

According to police, Asif allegedly threatened the girl with a firearm and a knife before raping her. Hemant and Mukesh allegedly assaulted her afterward. The three men then allegedly threatened the girl and her friend before leaving the park. The alleged assault took place inside an old stone structure in the park, police sources said.

PCR call leads to police investigation

The girl contacted the police control room around 8:45pm using friend's mobile phone. A team from Amar Colony police station reached the park and recorded her statement. She was taken to AIIMS for medical examination. Police said some used condoms were found at the scene.

An FIR has been registered at Amar Colony police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those relating to gang rape, criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation. The accused have also booked under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

To locate and nab the three accused, investigators used details provided by the girl about the men's clothes and the names they used while speaking to each other. Police examined the CCTV footage from areas around the park and nabbed Hemant and Mukesh, who are brothers, after being reportedly spotted in the vicinity.

Asif arrested after exchange of fire

Police said they received information around 6am Tuesday that Asif was near DM Office Road in Amar Colony. A team laid a trap and tried to intercept him. According to police, Asif fired three rounds when officers asked him to surrender. One bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of head constable Rajesh.

Police said Rajesh fired two rounds in response, with one bullet hitting Asif in his right leg. He was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. After Asif's arrest, investigators traced Hemant and Mukesh and arrested them later on Tuesday, police said.

Who are the three Kalka Ji mandir park rape case accused?

Police have identified Asif as an onion wholesaler who worked at Okhla Mandi. He is married and has a daughter. Hemant's father, advocate J R Dhankar, told reporters that his son practises law at Saket courts. Mukesh, Hemant's brother, is a final-year BSc Mathematics student, according to Dhankar.

The two brothers are originally from Faridabad and live in Sri Niwaspuri in Delhi, while their parents are based in Faridabad. Police said during interrogation that the three accused told investigators they had met around three months ago. Police are also examining claims that the men may have been involved in other incidents at the park. Officials said no complaint relating to such incidents has been received so far.

Father alleges sons being framed

Dhankar has denied the allegations against his sons and accused police of framing them. Speaking outside Amar Colony police station, he said, "They were beaten up. We do not know the girl and my sons have no connection with her either. This is a conspiracy to frame them in the case," he alleged.

He also claimed that police took his sons from their home in Sri Niwaspuri early Tuesday morning without explaining the reason for their detention. Police, however, maintain that the three men have disclosed during questioning that they knew each other.

Security concerns at Aastha Kunj Park

The case has also brought attention to security arrangements at Aastha Kunj Park. The park connects several prominent locations, including Kalkaji Mandir, the Baha'i Lotus Temple and ISKCON Temple. It also provides access to the Nehru Place district and surrounding food and entertainment areas.

The Delhi Development Authority manages the 140-acre park, which has 29 entry points. Joint CP Vijay Kumar said parts of the park remain difficult to secure because of its open layout and damaged boundary walls. "Some gates are not manned with guards, while some places are not sufficiently lit," he said.

Police said they have previously asked the DDA to improve security, including CCTV coverage and lighting. The DDA told TOI that it was carrying out a "comprehensive assessment of security manpower and deployment requirements". The investigation into the alleged assault and the involvement of the three arrested men is continuing.

(Inputs from TOI)