A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as police personnel inside a park near Kalkaji Mandir in southeast Delhi on Monday evening, according to police.
Police said the teenager had visited Kalkaji Mandir with her 17-year-old male friend at around 7 pm. After offering prayers, the two went to nearby Astha Kunj Park at around 7:30 pm, where three men allegedly approached them and claimed to be police officers.
The suspects, described by police as being approximately 25 to 30 years old, allegedly threatened the teenagers before sexually assaulting the girl.
One accused, identified by police as Asif, was subsequently apprehended after an exchange of fire with a police team. As of the latest reports on September 22, efforts were continuing to locate the other two suspects.
What Police Say Happened at Astha Kunj Park
According to the police account reported by multiple news organisations, the girl and her friend entered the park after visiting Kalkaji Mandir.
Three men allegedly approached them and presented themselves as police personnel. Police said the men questioned and threatened the teenagers with legal consequences.
According to the girl's statement to police as reported by The Indian Express, one accused restrained her male friend while the others allegedly assaulted her. Later reports have described all three men as accused in the sexual assault.
Because the case involves a minor and remains under investigation, these details are allegations based on the survivor's statement and the police account; they should not be presented as judicial findings.
PCR Call Received at Around 8:45 PM
Police said a PCR call was received at approximately 8:45 pm concerning an alleged sexual assault in the park connecting the Kalkaji Mandir and ISKCON Temple areas.
A police team reached the location and the teenager was taken for a medical examination. Investigators also began examining CCTV footage from the park and surrounding areas as part of efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify those involved.
Police also sought information about people who may have been present in or around the park when the alleged crime occurred.
One Accused Apprehended After Exchange of Fire
The investigation produced a major development early Tuesday when police apprehended one of the accused.
Police identified the man as Asif. According to officials, he was intercepted in southeast Delhi and was injured in the leg during an exchange of fire with police before being taken into custody.
The Times of India reported that the apprehension followed a brief exchange of fire. Police said the investigation remained underway and teams were working to trace the other accused.
These details concerning the encounter are based on the Delhi Police account and should be attributed accordingly until independently established through subsequent proceedings.
Case Registered Under POCSO Provisions
Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The POCSO Act provides a specific legal framework for investigating and prosecuting sexual offences against people below the age of 18.
Because the survivor is a minor, news coverage should protect her identity and avoid publishing details that could directly or indirectly reveal who she is.
Investigation Continues for Remaining Accused
As of reports published on the morning of September 22, 2026, one accused had been apprehended while the other two remained the subject of a police search.
Investigators have been reviewing CCTV footage and other information from the area. Further details—including the precise roles attributed to each accused—may become clearer as the investigation progresses.
The case should therefore be treated as an ongoing criminal investigation, with allegations against the accused yet to be determined by a court.
Why Careful Reporting Matters
The case involves both a minor survivor and allegations against individuals who have not yet been convicted. Responsible coverage therefore requires particular care.
The survivor's identity must remain protected, allegations should be clearly attributed to police or the complaint, and developments in the investigation should not be presented as proof of guilt.
The allegation that the men impersonated police personnel also forms an important part of the investigation because, according to the police account, the false claim of authority was allegedly used to intimidate the two teenagers before the assault.
