Aastha Kunj gang-rape case: Survivor’s detailed description helped police arrest 3 accused within hours

The 17-year-old recalled the accused’s clothing, appearance and escape route despite being traumatised, while faulty CCTV limited other leads.

The 17-year-old survivor’s ability to recall critical details about her three alleged attackers – their nicknames, clothes, physical appearance and the route they took while leaving the area – helped Delhi Police identify and arrest all three within hours of the gang rape, officers aware of the investigation said on Tuesday.

The crime took place on Monday evening when the girl was allegedly gang-raped inside Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Temple on her 17th birthday (Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times)

At least two investigators said that the girl who was allegedly held at gunpoint gave investigators a detailed account despite being traumatised.

Her descriptions gained significance as they became the sole lead in a case where investigators found that all other factors at the crime scene failed to provide any clear evidence: the CCTV in the park was malfunctioning, there were dark spots throughout the area, and patrolling there was non-existent.

The crime took place on Monday evening when she had gone to the park with a male friend after visiting a temple when three men allegedly intercepted them around 7.15pm-7.30pm, police said.

The accused were identified as Asif, 30, and brothers Mukesh Singh, 24, and Hemant Singh, 31. Police said the men posed as police personnel, threatened the teenagers and separated the girl from her friend. The girl alleged that she was taken to secluded locations inside the park, where the accused threatened her with a pistol and knife and raped her while assaulting her friend.

“While she was traumatised, she was very clear about the details she had noted. She told us the colour of their shirts and pants. She also gave clear statements about their height and appearance. She and her friend also told us a bit about which exit they took,” one investigator said, adding that it helped arrest the accused in 10 hours.

“We started with the main gate of the park. There were CCTVs but not operational. We then took the girl’s statement and started asking people about men with similar clothing and features. By 6am, we had traced them,” the officer said.

They also collected forensic evidence from the spot, including used condoms, which may or may not provide relevant DNA evidence, an investigator said.