A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men at a park near Delhi’s Kalkaji Temple on Monday evening, police said.
The men allegedly posed as police officers and threatened the girl and her friend before the assault.
Delhi Police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All three accused have since been arrested, with one allegedly opening fire at police during the operation.
Here’s what happened and what the investigation has found so far.
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What Happened Near Kalkaji Temple?
According to the girl's statement, she had visited Kalkaji Mandir with a 17-year-old male friend at around 7 pm on 21 September 2026.
After offering prayers, the two went to Astha Kunj Park, located near Kalkaji Mandir and the ISKCON temple, at around 7:30 pm.
Police said three men, aged around 25 to 30, approached the teenagers and allegedly claimed to be policemen. They allegedly threatened the two and separated the girl from her friend.
According to the police account, one of the men, identified as Asif, allegedly threatened the girl with a firearm and knife before sexually assaulting her. Two other men then allegedly sexually assaulted her. The three men allegedly threatened the teenagers again before leaving.
The account remains part of the ongoing criminal investigation, and the accused are legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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How Did The Crime Unfold?
The police received a PCR call at around 8:45 pm about the alleged sexual assault.
A team from Amar Colony Police Station reached Astha Kunj Park and found the girl with her friend. She was taken for a medical examination at AIIMS, while the police began investigating the area.
Police teams examined CCTV footage from the park and surrounding areas and collected information about people who may have been present nearby.
The investigation then moved beyond the park.
Who Are The Accused?
The three accused have been identified by police as Asif, Hemant and Mukesh.
Asif was traced to the Amar Colony area during the investigation. Police said that when a team attempted to intercept him near DM Office Road, he allegedly opened fire.
According to the police account, Asif fired three rounds despite being asked to surrender. A bullet hit the bulletproof jacket of Head Constable Rajesh. Police then fired two rounds in self-defence, one of which struck Asif in the right leg. He was subsequently taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.
Asif was arrested following the exchange of fire.
Hemant and Mukesh were also arrested by Delhi Police on 22 September.
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What Legal Action Has Been Taken?
Delhi Police registered an FIR at Amar Colony Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
According to The Economic Times, the FIR includes Sections 70(2), 61(2), 115(2) and 351(3) of the BNS, along with Sections 6 and 17 of the POCSO Act.
The POCSO Act applies because the girl is below 18. Under the law, a child means anyone below the age of 18. Section 5 of POCSO covers aggravated penetrative sexual assault, including gang penetrative sexual assault, while Section 6 provides punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
Police have also said that the girl's statement was recorded, she underwent medical examination and forensic teams examined the scene and collected evidence.
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Why The Police Impersonation Matters
One of the key elements of the case is the allegation that the men posed as police officers.
The police account says the men used that claim to threaten the two teenagers before separating the girl from her friend. That makes the alleged impersonation an important part of the investigation into how the incident unfolded.
The case also highlights why the legal framework around crimes against children involves more than simply registering an FIR. POCSO provides specific procedures for child victims, including child-friendly mechanisms during reporting, investigation and trial.
Recent Cases Put Rape In Focus
The Kalkaji case is not an isolated case in Delhi's recent crime reports.
In the past few weeks, the city has seen several cases involving minor girls. On 10 September, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Swaroop Nagar. Police arrested four accused, including three minors.
On 16 September, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a tailoring shop in Sadar Bazar, leading to the arrest of a 56-year-old man.
Then, on 21 September, a six-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Kishan Ganj. Police took a 34-year-old man into custody and initiated a POCSO investigation.
The same day, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped near Kalkaji Temple. Police have arrested all three accused in that case.
Together, these cases highlight the continuing problem of sexual violence against women and children. The scale becomes clearer in the national data. According to the NCRB's Crime in India 2024 report, India recorded 29,536 rape cases in 2024, amounting to more than 80 registered cases every day. The report also recorded 266 cases of murder with rape or gang rape across the country.
For children, the issue also carries a separate legal framework under the POCSO Act, which provides specific protections for those below 18 who face sexual offences.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What happened?
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men in Astha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir, Delhi.
When did it happen?
The alleged incident took place around 7:30 pm on 21 September 2026.
What did the accused allegedly do?
Police said the three men posed as policemen and threatened the girl and her male friend.
Who are the accused?
Police identified them as Asif, Hemant and Mukesh.
Have they been arrested?
Yes. All three had been arrested by 22 September 2026.
What happened during Asif's arrest?
Police said he allegedly opened fire at officers and was injured in retaliatory firing.
What charges were registered?
The FIR includes provisions of the BNS and POCSO Act, including Sections 6 and 17 of POCSO.
What happens now?
Police investigation, forensic examination and further legal proceedings will determine the case.
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