NEW DELHI: A 17-year-old girl from Faridabad and her 17-year-old male friend had gone to Kalkaji Mandir for darshan on Sunday evening. From there, they walked into a nearby park for a while, before three strangers approached them with a story about the law, one that ended in an alleged gang-rape and has now triggered a police encounter and a POCSO case that has shaken the national capital.Giving details of how the crime unfolded, joint commissioner of police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar told news agency PTI that a PCR call was received on Sunday evening regarding the girl, who had come to the area with her male friend. The two first went to the temple and then to Aastha Kunj Park, “towards a somewhat secluded area,” he said.Three people approached them there. Kumar told PTI the men claimed to be policemen and spoke to the couple “using police and lawyer-like language,” telling them that they were minors, were doing something wrong, and that a case could be registered against them. Using this, the men caught hold of the boy and raped the girl one after another, Kumar said, citing the complaint received from the girl.As per an ANI report, one of the accused, later identified as Asif, allegedly threatened the girl with a firearm and a knife and sexually assaulted her. Two other accused then allegedly assaulted her as well. The accused subsequently threatened the girl and her friend.A PCR call about the incident was received at around 8.45pm. The SHO of Amar Colony police station and staff reached Aastha Kunj Park and found the girl with her male friend.An FIR was registered at Amar Colony police station under Sections 70(2), 61(2), 115(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, read with Sections 6 and 17 of the POCSO Act. The girl was medically examined at AIIMS Hospital, and a Crime Team and Forensic Science Laboratory team examined the park.Police said Asif was traced to the DM Office Road area in Amar Colony early morning by a team led by inspector Rajender Dagar. When intercepted, he allegedly opened fire at the police team, firing three rounds and continuing to fire despite being asked to surrender.One bullet hit the bulletproof jacket of head constable Rajesh. An officer fired two rounds in self-defence, one of which hit Asif in the right leg. He was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.Joint CP Vijay Kumar said the names of two other accused have surfaced and they are being questioned, with arrests expected soon.(With agency inputs)(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
