NEW DELHI: Residents of Sriniwaspuri Extension, where brothers Hemant Singh and Mukesh Singh- accused of raping a minor-lived, said they kept their distance from the two.The brothers were close, neighbours said, and would usually be seen together, usually exercising or lounging on the terrace.“They would start a fight if anyone even stepped onto their part of the terrace,” said a neighbour, who did not wish to be named, adding that Hemant claimed to be a lawyer and said even if someone complained against him, nothing would happen to him.Hemant and Mukesh, along with Asif, were arrested Tuesday for the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in south Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park.Investigators said the two brothers were familiar with the park’s layout and its dark spots as they used to play cricket there. This is where they met Asif three months ago, police said.Hemant’s father, advocate J R Dhankar, told police that Mukesh is a BSc student and Hemant is a lawyer, a claim that cops are verifying. Dhankar has accused police of framing his sons.“Police picked them up from their home in Sriniwaspuri early in the morning without informing us. Their statements were taken forcibly… They were at home all day and were not outside when the incident occurred,” he said. Their house was locked Wednesday.Neighbours said they had never seen Hemant go to work or wear a lawyer’s coat. One added that she felt uncomfortable in their presence because of the “hostility” in their interactions with neighbours.The third accused, Asif, had been working for more than 10 years in Okhla Sabzi Mandi along with his uncle. People who knew Asif remained tight-lipped, only saying he was polite in their interactions. According to police, Asif is married and has a teenage daughter.Based on the survivor’s statement, Asif was identified and tracked down Tuesday. He was arrested following a brief exchange of fire, in which he sustained bullet injuries in his leg. The two brothers were then nabbed based on his description, said police.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
