Three men have been arrested for allegedly posing as policemen and gang-raping a 17-year-old girl at a park near Delhi’s Kalkaji Mandir, police said. One of the accused was arrested after an exchange of fire with police, while the other two were taken into custody later.

The alleged incident took place on Monday evening at Aastha Kunj Park, located between Kalkaji Mandir and the ISKCON Temple in southeast Delhi. The teenager had gone to the area with a 17-year-old male friend.

According to the police investigation, the two teenagers first visited Kalkaji Mandir at around 7 pm. They later went to the nearby park at around 7.30 pm. Three men, believed to be in their 20s, allegedly approached them and claimed to be police officers.

The men allegedly questioned the teenagers and threatened them by using their false identity as police personnel. Police said the accused then separated the girl from her friend. One of the men allegedly restrained the boy while the girl was taken to another part of the park and sexually assaulted.

The accused allegedly threatened the teenagers again before leaving the area. A police control room call was made at around 8.45 pm, following which a team reached the park.

The girl was taken for a medical examination and her statement was recorded. Delhi Police subsequently registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, along with other relevant sections of law. As the victim is a minor, her identity has not been disclosed.

Investigators began looking at CCTV footage from the park and surrounding roads soon after the complaint was received. Police teams were also deployed to identify and trace the three suspects.

The first arrest came on Tuesday when police located one of the accused, identified as Asif, near DM Office Road in Amar Colony. Police said Asif allegedly opened fire when officers attempted to intercept him.

According to investigators, he fired three rounds at the police team. A head constable was reportedly hit on his bulletproof jacket. Police then returned fire, hitting Asif in the right leg.

He was arrested and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. Forensic teams were also sent to the site of the exchange of fire to collect evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The other two accused were identified as Hemant and Mukesh. Police later arrested both men, bringing all three suspects into custody.

Investigators are now questioning the accused and examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish exactly what happened at the park. Police are also trying to determine the individual role allegedly played by each of the three men.

The claim that the accused posed as police officers is a key part of the investigation. Police are examining how the men approached the teenagers, whether they had planned the alleged assault and whether they had previously targeted people in the area.

The location of the alleged incident has also come under scrutiny. Aastha Kunj Park is a large public space with several entry points. Reports about the investigation have highlighted broken sections of the boundary and poorly lit areas in parts of the park. These aspects are being examined as police investigate how the accused allegedly gained access to the teenagers and moved them to a secluded area.

The alleged assault has also raised concerns about the safety of public spaces in Delhi, particularly after dark. The park is situated close to two prominent religious sites and is frequented by visitors and local residents.

Police have said the investigation remains underway. Officers are collecting CCTV footage, examining forensic evidence and recording statements as they build the case against the three accused.

The case has attracted attention because the alleged victims were teenagers and because the suspects are accused of using the identity of police officers to threaten them. The investigation will determine whether the allegations are supported by the evidence collected.

The three accused are now in police custody and will face the legal process. Further action will depend on the investigation and the evidence presented before the court.

Delhi Police are continuing to investigate the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, the use of a fake police identity and the subsequent encounter during which one of the accused was arrested.