Delhi gangrape case: 2 accused washed clothes, deleted search history, say sources

Police have recovered weapons and a condom from one accused, found obscene videos on his phone as they investigate the assault as a possible planned crime.

In Short

• Two accused washed clothes post-gangrape, likely to destroy evidence
• Obscene videos found on third accused's phone, others deleted searches
• Pistol, knife and condom recovered, criminal conspiracy added to FIR

Two of the three accused in the gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in southeast Delhi washed their clothes, including their lowers, after returning home following the incident. Police also recovered obscene videos from the mobile phone of the third accused, while the other two deleted their search histories.

Police suspect that the act may have been an attempt to destroy possible evidence, sources said.

According to sources, the accused, Hemant and Mukesh, who posed as police officers to threaten and sexually assault the minor, at the park near Kalkaji Mandir returned to their homes in South Delhi after the incident and washed their clothes. Police are examining whether the washing was intended to remove forensic evidence that may have been present on the clothes.

Sources also said Hemant has studied law and police are looking into whether his legal background had any role in the alleged attempt to destroy evidence.

The incident took place on September 11, when the girl was at the park with a friend on her birthday after visiting a nearby temple. The accused -- Asif, Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh -- approached them while posing as police officers and threatened to file a case against them. They then separated the girl from her male friend and allegedly sexually assaulted her inside the park.

COPS SUSPECT PLANNED CRIME

The police have also added criminal conspiracy provisions to the FIR after recovering a pistol, a knife and a condom from accused Asif, sources said.

According to officers, Asif, Hemant and Mukesh have been friends since childhood and frequently visited Aastha Kunj Park together. Police suspect the trio may have planned the alleged attack before approaching the 17-year-old girl at the park on Monday evening.

The girl was reportedly at the park with a friend on her birthday when the accused approached them while allegedly posing as police personnel.

Sources said the accused used language associated with police officers, including addressing the girls as “janab”, and allegedly issued threats to convince them that they were policemen. The girl was subsequently allegedly sexually assaulted.

VIDEOS FOUND ON PHONE

Police have recovered several obscene videos from Asif’s mobile phone, according to sources. Investigators also suspect that Hemant and Mukesh deleted their search histories after the incident.

The mobile phones of all three accused have been sent for forensic examination. Investigators are analysing their digital records to determine whether the devices contain evidence of prior planning, communication between the accused or other links to the alleged crime.

The recovery of the pistol, knife and condom from Asif has led police to invoke criminal conspiracy provisions in the FIR, sources said. Police are also examining whether Asif routinely carried weapons and whether he had previously targeted women in or around the park.

Asif is being examined as a possible key figure in the case, sources said. He reportedly lives near Aastha Kunj Park and was known to frequent the area.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER ASSAULT

According to sources, after the crime, they threatened the girl with consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The accused then went to a food outlet after the incident before returning to their homes in South Delhi's Srinivaspuri.

Police are now reconstructing the sequence of events, tracking the accused's movements and analysing their digital records and other evidence. Investigators are also examining the alleged washing of clothes to determine whether there was an attempt to destroy forensic evidence.

The probe is focused on establishing whether the alleged assault was pre-planned and determining the specific role played by each of the three accused.

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