After Kalkaji case, Aastha Kunj’s surveillance and safety gaps come under scrutiny

The alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl inside Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park has brought renewed attention to security arrangements at the sprawling 142-acre green space, with the absence of permanent CCTV surveillance and concerns over lighting emerging as key issues.

Senior police officers said on Wednesday that the lack of functional cameras inside the park has left a significant surveillance gap that could affect both policing and the investigation into Monday’s alleged crime.

The park is maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and lies alongside Nehru Place Metro station. It serves as a link between several prominent locations, including ISKCON temple, Kalkaji Mandir, Lotus Temple and Nehru Place, and neighbourhoods such as Garhi Village, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash and Kalkaji.

Cameras installed only during major events

Police officials familiar with security arrangements said there are no permanent CCTV cameras covering the interior of the park.

According to the officials, police are able to obtain footage from cameras installed by temple authorities only during major festivals and other large events. Such cameras are taken down once the events are over.

CCTV cameras are available inside temples in and around the park and near their exits, police said. However, officers said these cameras provide little or no coverage of the park itself.

A police officer said the department had approached the DDA at least three times over the past year, requesting the installation of CCTV cameras and additional mast lights in the park.

The officer said the absence of cameras has limited the amount of evidence investigators could potentially collect from the area.

On Tuesday, HT reported that cameras installed at the park’s main gate and outside the premises were also not operational.

Lighting and patrolling under question

Police have also raised concerns about inadequate lighting in parts of the park.

A senior officer said several stretches were poorly lit, making it difficult for police personnel to patrol the area effectively. The officer questioned how officers could be expected to maintain an effective presence in parts of the park where lights were not working.

A spot inspection of the park conducted by HT on Tuesday evening found dark stretches within the premises. Some people were seen walking through those areas with torches.

The DDA has disputed the claim that the park’s lighting is non-functional. The agency said the lights inside the park were working and that security-related concerns were being examined.

The DDA also said it was assessing the security, manpower and other requirements of the park.

However, the agency did not respond to questions about why permanent CCTV cameras have not been installed inside the premises.

Security arrangements face wider scrutiny

The dispute over responsibility has emerged as both the police and the DDA have sought to distance themselves from the security shortcomings reported in and around Aastha Kunj since Tuesday.

The park’s size and its connections to several busy areas make security arrangements particularly significant. Police said poorly lit stretches can make regular patrolling more difficult, while permanent surveillance could provide investigators with additional evidence when incidents occur.

The alleged gang rape has therefore prompted questions not only about the events of Monday but also about the preventive security measures in place at the park.

The incident involved three men who allegedly posed as police officers before confronting the 17-year-old girl and her male friend inside the park near Kalkaji Mandir. Police have arrested the three accused. One of them was injured in a police encounter after allegedly opening fire at officers.

The investigation is continuing, with police examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the movements of those involved.

Delhi parks set for safety review

The concerns at Aastha Kunj have also triggered a broader examination of security at DDA-managed parks.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has directed the DDA to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of parks across the capital. The review is expected to examine issues including lighting, security personnel and patrolling arrangements.

The DDA has said Aastha Kunj has 27 guards deployed in three shifts. That would translate to nine guards being available during each shift, although police officials have pointed to the park’s size and dense vegetation as challenges for maintaining effective surveillance across its entire area.

The park has also witnessed other incidents in the past. In June last year, two friends were reportedly attacked while walking through the area. The attackers allegedly returned three days later and robbed a jogger, who subsequently helped police apprehend them.

The latest case has consequently put the park’s infrastructure and security arrangements under closer scrutiny, particularly the absence of continuous CCTV coverage and concerns over lighting and patrolling.