Archive · 23 Sep 2026
South Delhi DDA Park Faces Scrutiny After Alleged Gang Rape
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly attacked by three men in a large park in South Delhi.
Police said the men used the darkness and quietness of the park.
The park covers about 142 acres and has 29 gates.
Guards and residents said many lights did not work and that parts of the boundary were damaged.
They also said the park had dark areas where people used drugs or committed thefts.
Police said there were no working CCTV cameras inside the park.
The Delhi Development Authority said its lights were working and being checked regularly.
Police and senior officers increased patrols after the incident.
Officials said they would review security staffing and improve coordination.
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in a South Delhi DDA park, police said.
The approximately 142-acre park has 29 gates, informal paths and damaged boundary sections that complicate security.
Guards and residents said most of the park’s roughly 300 lamp posts were not working and that dark areas attracted drug users and thieves.
Police said there were no CCTV cameras inside the park and that many cameras at entry gates were non-functional.
The DDA said its lighting was functional and regularly inspected, while police increased patrols after the alleged incident.
- Who
- A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped; police said three men were accused. Guards, residents, the Delhi Development Authority and Delhi Police also commented on park security.
- What
- An alleged gang rape prompted scrutiny of lighting, CCTV coverage, patrols and access control at the park.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on Monday, and increased police patrols were reported on Tuesday evening.
- Where
- A Delhi Development Authority park in South Delhi.
- Why
- Police said the accused took advantage of darkness and isolation; residents and guards attributed security difficulties to the park’s size, poor lighting, damaged boundaries and numerous access points.
Residents and Police Raise Security Concerns
DDA Cites Functional Infrastructure and Review
Lighting and surveillance
Residents and Police Raise Security Concerns
Guards and residents said most lamp posts were not working, while police said the park lacked interior CCTV cameras and had many non-functional gate cameras.
DDA Cites Functional Infrastructure and Review
The Delhi Development Authority said its lighting installations were functional and inspected regularly.
Access and patrols
Residents and Police Raise Security Concerns
Residents, guards and police said the park’s size, 29 access points, damaged boundary sections and informal paths made patrols and entry control difficult.
DDA Cites Functional Infrastructure and Review
The DDA said it was assessing security manpower and deployment needs and strengthening coordination with Delhi Police for enhanced patrolling and emergency response.
Extent of the safety problem
Residents and Police Raise Security Concerns
Residents said the alleged incident was not isolated and described drug use, theft concerns and inadequate patrols in dark areas.
DDA Cites Functional Infrastructure and Review
The DDA’s stated response focused on reviewing security deployment and coordinating with police; the agency disputed claims about non-functional lighting.
- Park area
- Approximately 142 acres
- Access points
- 29 gates
- Lighting
- About 300 lamp posts are installed, but guards said most were not working; the DDA said installations were functional and regularly inspected.
- CCTV coverage
- Police said there were no cameras inside the park and that many cameras at entry gates were non-functional.
- Security deployment
- Guards said nine guards were deployed during each eight-hour shift, with personnel at six main gates.
- Reported daily footfall
- A nearby resident estimated that about 2,000 people visit the park daily.
- Police response
- Police increased patrols, including a late-Tuesday operation involving senior district officers carrying batons and torches.