A 17-year-old girl’s alleged gang rape at Aastha Kunj Park has raised concerns over inadequate guards, dark stretches and broken boundary walls, despite the Delhi Development Authority’s claim of round-the-clock security.
Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Temple has come under scrutiny after three men allegedly posing as police personnel gang-raped a 17-year-old girl on Monday evening. The incident has renewed concerns over safety arrangements at the sprawling Delhi park, where visitors have reported poorly lit stretches and inadequate security.
Seven gates, limited visible security
A spot check by Hindustan Times found that only one of the park’s seven entry points had two guards around 3pm on Tuesday. During an evening visit, guards were seen at two gates, while another patrolled the grounds on a motorcycle.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), however, said the park has 27 guards working in three shifts, with at least nine expected to be on duty at any time.
Dark pathways and broken boundaries
Several sections remained poorly lit after sunset, with tall trees creating stretches of darkness. Some visitors relied on mobile phone torches to navigate the pathways.
A police officer said patrolling the entire park was difficult because of its size and dense vegetation. The officer also pointed to damaged boundary walls, which allow easy access from surrounding residential areas.
Visitors express safety concerns
A visitor said he and his fiancée were unaware of the assault and felt frightened about returning after sunset. Another visitor questioned the absence of adequate lighting and security near the ISKCON Temple-side entrance.
Security concerns raised before
The latest incident has revived concerns about safety at the park. In June last year, two people were reportedly attacked while walking there. The attackers allegedly returned days later to rob a jogger and were subsequently caught.
The recent case has prompted renewed scrutiny of park security, including guard deployment, lighting, boundary walls and police patrolling.
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