In response to a police operation near the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, all classes were suspended from noon on Tuesday. The operation involved the arrest of an individual, Asif, implicated in the Kalkaji gang-rape case, who was shot in the leg during the attempt to apprehend him approximately 50 metres from the college’s back gate.

According to police reports, Asif allegedly opened fire on officers attempting to detain him. Due to the proximity of the encounter to the college, the administration swiftly advised students, faculty, and staff to avoid congregating near the back gate, prioritising safety in the immediate area.

The college committee remained in contact with the Delhi Police to ensure security along the perimeter, with plans to conduct classes online for guest faculty the following day. The situation has prompted significant concern among students regarding their safety on campus.

Response from the Student Body

The LSR Students’ Union convened an emergency online General Body Meeting for 9 pm on Tuesday evening, articulating that the encounter had left many students feeling anxious and vulnerable. The meeting aims to provide a platform for students to voice their concerns, share experiences, and discuss safety measures they wish to see implemented.

The union expressed its intent to formally address the Principal’s office, seeking to enhance security around the college. Members reinforced their desire for the campus to be a safe environment, urging that safety become an integral aspect of campus life. The meeting will utilise Google Meet, with access details to be shared through the LSR Communities platform, ensuring broad participation among the student body.

Background of the Police Operation

The police operation targeting Asif followed allegations of a gang rape incident involving a 17-year-old girl at Astha Kunj Park, near Kalkaji Mandir. Reports indicate that Asif and two other men approached the girl and her male friend on Monday evening, claiming to be police officers. They allegedly threatened the pair and separated them, leading to the assault.

Claims suggest that Asif brandished a firearm and a knife to intimidate the victim during the incident, with the other two suspects also accused of rape. The girl underwent a medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and a First Information Report was subsequently lodged at the Amar Colony police station under applicable laws.

During the early hours of Tuesday, police reported that Asif fired three shots at a team led by Inspector Rajender Dagar when they sought to intercept him near DM Office Road in Amar Colony. The law enforcement action has been met with various responses, including disputes over the accusations against the other two men involved.

Allegations and Family Reactions

J R Dhankar, the father of the two accused, Hemant and Mukesh, has publicly contested the allegations made against his sons. He claims that they were taken from their home at approximately 7 am on Tuesday without sufficient explanation, asserting that they were subjected to physical abuse during detention.

Dhankar maintains that his sons have no association with the alleged victim and describes the situation as a conspiracy intended to implicate them in the case. He noted that Hemant is a practising lawyer at the Saket court in Delhi, while Mukesh is pursuing his final year in a BSc programme in Mathematics.

The family’s account raises complex questions about the operational conduct of law enforcement, although independent verification of their claims regarding the circumstances of the arrests remains unavailable.

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