The investigation into the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in New Delhi on September 21 is now focusing on digital and forensic evidence. Authorities are currently analyzing the mobile phones of the three accused individuals. Investigators have discovered that two of the suspects deleted their search history and washed their clothes shortly after the incident occurred.
Hindustan Times reported that investigators suspect the clothes were washed to get rid of possible evidence. The three accused have been identified as Asif, Hemant Singh and Mukesh Singh. Investigators are checking search history, contacts, call records and other electronic evidence to reconstruct what the accused did before and after the alleged assault. The two then went to an eatery before returning to their home in Srinivaspuri, where they allegedly washed the clothes they had been wearing. The police are examining whether the clothes and other material can provide forensic evidence. The FSL examination has become an important part of the investigation as the police try to establish the sequence of events and the activities of the three accused. Investigators are also checking whether any video of the teenager was recorded. Officers are examining the material as part of the ongoing digital probe. The police are also trying to retrieve data that was allegedly deleted from the phones of Hemant and Mukesh. The police are also checking whether the accused may have been involved in similar incidents in the past. Investigators are checking the information further and trying to establish whether there could have been other survivours. Asif was arrested after an exchange of fire with the police in Amar Colony. One bullet hit the bulletproof jacket of a head constable, after which th police fired back and Asif was injured in the leg.
The police have sent their phones to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to examine their digital activity and recover deleted data, according to sources. Sources said Hemant and Mukesh allegedly deleted their search history after the incident. The police have found several pornographic or “objectionable” videos on Asif’s phone, according to a report published by The Times of India on Thursday (September 24). The men were known to frequently visit the park, according to police sources. So far, the police have said they have not received a formal complaint linking the trio to an earlier incident. The cops said he fired three rounds at the team trying to intercept him.
The examination of their search history and other digital records could help investigators establish what happened before the three men entered Aastha Kunj Park at Kalkaji and what they did afterwards.
