Delhi L-G Orders Safety Audit of All Parks After Aastha Kunj Gangrape

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all parks in the national capital following the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Temple.

The audit has been ordered to be completed within one week, with officials asked to examine lighting, security arrangements, regular patrolling and cleanliness across Delhi's parks.

Delhi Police asked to strengthen park patrolling

Sandhu issued the directions after meeting the Delhi Police Commissioner, MCD Commissioner and Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The Delhi Police has been directed to strengthen beat patrolling around parks. The measures also include the deployment of Pink Police personnel around park premises to enhance the visible security presence.

The DDA and MCD have also been asked to examine ways to improve the long-term maintenance and upkeep of parks, including exploring partnerships with resident welfare associations, private organisations and educational institutions.

Aastha Kunj incident puts park security under scrutiny

The directions came two days after the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in southeast Delhi.

According to police, the teenager from Faridabad had visited Kalkaji Temple with a 17-year-old male friend before entering the park. Police allege that three men approached them and posed as policemen before separating the girl from her friend and taking her to an isolated part of the park.

All three accused have been arrested, police said. One of them was apprehended after an exchange of fire with police and sustained a gunshot injury to his leg. The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.

The allegations are subject to the ongoing legal process, and the accused have not been convicted.

CCTV, lighting and boundary gaps emerge as concerns

The incident has also brought the security infrastructure at Aastha Kunj Park under scrutiny.

The approximately 142-acre DDA park has multiple entry points. Reports based on the initial investigation said there were gaps in CCTV coverage, unmanned gates and poorly lit sections. India Today reported that CCTV cameras were absent at the entry and exit gates, while portions of the boundary wall had also collapsed.

The Indian Express reported that most cameras at the park's entry gates were non-functional and that there were no CCTV cameras inside the park. It also reported concerns about non-functioning lighting and damaged sections of the boundary.

The DDA, however, has said its lighting installations are functional and inspected regularly. It has also said that a comprehensive assessment of security manpower and deployment requirements is being undertaken because of the park's large area and numerous access points.

What the safety audit will examine

The citywide audit is expected to focus on several aspects of park security, including:

• Adequate lighting and identification of dark spots

• Security arrangements at entry and exit points

• Regular police patrolling

• CCTV coverage and functionality

• Boundary and access-point security

• Cleanliness and maintenance

• Deployment of security personnel

The L-G's directive places responsibility on multiple agencies, including Delhi Police, the MCD and the DDA, to assess vulnerabilities and improve safety arrangements.

Focus on women's safety in public spaces

The Aastha Kunj case has renewed attention on the safety of women and minors in large public parks, particularly after dark.

The immediate response from authorities includes increased police presence and Pink Police deployment, while the broader audit is intended to identify infrastructure and security gaps across parks throughout Delhi.

The findings of the one-week audit and any subsequent measures will determine how authorities address security vulnerabilities identified in the city's parks.