New Delhi: A minor girl was allegedly gang raped on Monday (September 21) in southeast Delhi by three men who posed as cops, while her male friend was also assaulted by the accused, reported The Hindu.According to the police, Monday also happened to be the 17th birthday of the girl and she had come to Southeast Delhi from Faridabad to meet her friend, who is also of the same age. The duo visited Kalkaji Mandir before entering Astha Kunj Park through Gate No. 7.“The three accused approached them, claimed to be policemen, and used police and legal terminology to intimidate the two, telling them that they were minors, had done something wrong, and could face a case. The trio then separated the girl by taking her to a secluded spot while restraining the boy, and sexually assaulted the girl one after another,” joint commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar told The Hindu.According to the police, the three accused were identified as Asif, 31, an onion wholesaler at Srinivaspuri market and a resident of Tughlakabad, Hemanth, 31, who claims to be an advocate practising at the Saket court and is preparing for competitive examinations and his brother Mukesh, 24, a B.Sc. student from Palwal in Haryana.Among the trio, Asif was shot in the leg during a police operation on Tuesday (September 22) morning.“They used to play cricket together in the park, where they got acquainted, and claim to have known each other for the last two to three years,” said joint commissioner Kumar.At around 8:45 pm on Monday, the girl made a distress call after which the Amar Colony police had reached the park where she and her male friend were found.The police said that the girl was subsequently medically examined at AIIMS, while the Crime Team and Forensic Science Laboratory personnel examined the scene and collected relevant exhibits.A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).According to the police, preliminary inquiry has indicated that the three accused have in the past visited parks in the area and harassed and teased girls. The police will be seeking custody of the accused for further questioning.The Hindu report added that this is the fourth instance of sexual assault on minor girls in the national capital since September 10.The Delhi Commission for Women (SCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the latest case and it also sought a detailed report from the police on the incident and action taken so far.“Any incident involving a woman or a girl in Delhi is unacceptable. The Delhi government maintains a clear and strict policy that no form of mistreatment against women will be tolerated. Prompt and stringent police action must be ensured in such cases,” said DCW chairperson Lata Gupta.