The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has begun installing fresh security infrastructure at Aastha Kunj Park, weeks after the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl exposed gaps in surveillance, lighting and patrolling at the 142-acre park near Kalkaji Temple.
All three accused were arrested within hours of the incident, while one sustained a gunshot injury during the arrest. The incident also brought renewed attention to conditions inside the large park. Lighting emerged as another major gap. The sequence of events has highlighted the extent to which basic security measures at DDA parks remained dependent on post-incident interventions. At Aastha Kunj, residents have also raised concerns over non-functional or inadequate lighting, making the one-month deadline for the new floodlights particularly significant.
The move comes 12 days after the September 21 incident, in which three men allegedly posing as policemen approached the teenager and her male friend inside the park. The audit found that 520 parks require additional lighting, with work in 231 being taken up on priority. It also found deficiencies in access control and boundaries, including 163 parks where entrances were in poor condition and 399 parks with boundary-related repair or missing-grille issues.
The men separated the two and allegedly sexually assaulted the girl, according to police. Police officials also told Hindustan Times that staff, guards and regular visitors had previously identified one of the accused as a local troublemaker and that the absence of adequate patrolling and security infrastructure had been a concern.
