Delhi park gang-rape accused deleted phone data and washed clothes before arrest

Two brothers arrested for the gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl in a Delhi park deleted their phone search histories, photos, and videos before police caught them. The accused, 24-year-old Mukesh Singh and 31-year-old Hemant Singh, also washed their clothes after the crime to destroy evidence. Police say the pair visited a restaurant right after the attack before returning to their home in the Sri Niwaspuri area.

The Crime And Arrests

The attack took place earlier this week inside the 142-acre Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Temple. The victim, a class seven student, was visiting the park with a 17-year-old male friend on her 17th birthday around 7:15 pm to 7:30 pm. The three suspects had roamed the park for nearly 45 minutes looking for a target and posed as policemen before attacking the couple in a secluded spot. A third suspect, 30-year-old Asif, was also arrested following a brief exchange of gunfire near Amar Colony on Tuesday morning. Police recovered an unlicensed firearm and a knife from him. Investigators found objectionables videos on Asif's phone, including some shot inside the park. Asif had switched off his mobile phone after learning from local residents in Okhla Mandi that police were searching for him, and attempted to escape on his bike before being caught.

Background Of Accused

Police are currently checking the past conduct of all three men. Hemant Singh was previously removed from a gym near his house after women accused him of harassment, and he claimed to be a graduate from Maharshi Dayanand University while preparing for judiciary exams. Mukesh Singh is a college student in Palwal who rarely attended classes, while the brothers lived in Delhi. A court sent the accused to two days of jail custody on Wednesday.