How a 10-year-old helped Delhi cops solve assault case: The blue room, broken entry
A 10-year-old girl's sharp recollection of small but crucial details — including a red e-rickshaw, a blue room and a pair of slippers — helped Delhi Police crack a rape case in Central Delhi. With no other leads, investigators relied entirely on the minor's testimony, which ultimately led to the arrest of a 25-year-old e-rickshaw driver.
New Delhi: A 10-year-old girl helped the Delhi police to crack a rape case with the minute details she recalled from the crime scene. The Central Delhi's Prasad Nagar cops did not have any other leads except the minor's testimony. The girl who sells flowers at traffic signals mentioned some blurry scenes from her ordeal. The visuals included a red e-rickshaw with a white roof, a pair of slippers and a blue room.
The minor was raped by an e-rickshaw driver on January 11. The cops had no other clues, like the name or registration number of the vehicle. The alleged victim mentioned some details of the case, which eventually led to the arrest of the 25-year-old man.
The Investigation
DCP (Central) Anant Mittal formed three teams to solve the case. The team scanned 1 20-km radius, and searched for the location matching the girl's description. The first breakthrough came when the cops found a similar location at Professor Ram Nath Vij Marg.
On the stranded part of the ridge, the cops discovered a broken wall opening to a small structure. The team then found the minor slippers that confirmed the crime scene. The forensic team then reconstructed the path taken by the accused between 11 pm and 1 am.
A second team scanned almost 100 CCTV cameras. At last, one of the cameras was seen capturing the red-e-rickshaw, carrying the minor. Acting on it, a third team searched the vehicle in Karol Bagh and Rajendra Place.
Cops arrest the suspect
Pictures of suspected drivers were circulated in the area and then a vehicle was seen near a petrol pump in Rajendra Place. The cops subsequently found the vehicle. As the accused attempted to run, he was chased down and arrested.
The accused is identified as Durgesh, 25, from Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. The cops also found blood-stained clothes. The minor, on January 11, was lured by the e-rickshaw driver on the pretext of offering tea. He then took her to a forested area and raped her.