Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday directed a comprehensive safety audit of all parks in Delhi within a week following the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji temple, officials said.
Sandhu held a meeting with the MCD commissioner, Delhi Police commissioner and vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and directed the agencies to examine lighting, security arrangements, cleanliness and patrolling in parks across the capital. The Delhi Police has also been asked to strengthen beat patrolling around parks, including deployment of Pink Police personnel near park premises. The DDA and MCD have been directed to explore partnerships with resident welfare associations, private entities and local educational institutions for sustained upkeep of parks. The accused allegedly separated the two and took the girl to a secluded area inside the park. All three accused have been arrested; one was injured in a police encounter. An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.
The girl had visited Kalkaji temple with a 17-year-old male friend before entering the park, according to police.
“Met the MCD Commissioner, Police Commissioner and Vice Chairman, DDA and directed a comprehensive safety audit of all Delhi parks within one week, with emphasis on adequate lighting, security, regular patrolling and cleanliness,” the LG said in a post on X. The directions came two days after a minor girl was allegedly gangraped inside Aastha Kunj Park by three men who police said posed as policemen.
The 142-acre park has multiple entry points, but initial investigation found that it has inadequate lighting, unmanned gates and gaps in CCTV coverage with most cameras dysfunctional. The case has also brought scrutiny on the park’s security arrangements.
DDA has said it is assessing security manpower and deployment requirements.
