Gurgaon Horror: Woman Sexually Assaulted Near Leopard Trail After 3 a.m. Stroll

What began as a quiet pre-dawn walk turned into a nightmare in the shadow of the Aravalis. In the stillness of 3 a.m. on a Saturday morning, a woman and her friend were walking near the notorious Leopard Trail in Gurgaon when a man approached them, snatched the woman’s phone, and forcibly dragged her into the dense, unlit forested area. Despite her friend’s desperate attempt to intervene, the assailant overpowered them both. The victim was allegedly sexually assaulted before managing to escape and raise the alarm—a harrowing ordeal that has once again thrust the issue of urban wilderness safety into the national spotlight .

The incident, now widely referred to as the Leopard Trail assault, has sent shockwaves through Gurugram’s residential communities and ignited fierce debate about policing, lighting, and the dangers lurking in so-called ‘green lungs’ of rapidly expanding cities. With a suspect—identified as 28-year-old Gaurav Bhati—now in custody and the survivor receiving medical care (her condition reported as stable), authorities are under pressure to explain how such an attack could occur in a zone long flagged for its vulnerability .

The Leopard Trail Assault: What Happened?
Who Is the Suspect? Gaurav Bhati’s Background
Why Leopard Trail Is a Known Risk Zone
Gurgaon’s Nighttime Safety Crisis for Women
Police Response and Community Reactions
What Needs to Change Moving Forward
Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action
Sources

The Leopard Trail Assault: What Happened?

According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the victim—a resident of South City II—was out for a walk with a male friend around 3 a.m. near the base of the Aravali hills, close to the Leopard Trail access point. This trail, popular among trekkers by day, becomes largely deserted and poorly lit at night, making it a known blind spot for surveillance .

The accused approached them under the guise of asking for directions, then suddenly grabbed the woman’s mobile phone. When she resisted, he pulled her off the path and into the thick scrubland. Her friend tried to stop him but was pushed away. After the assault, the survivor managed to run to a nearby farmhouse and alerted security personnel, who immediately contacted the police. She was rushed to a hospital for examination and trauma counseling.

Who Is the Suspect? Gaurav Bhati’s Background

Gaurav Bhati, a 28-year-old resident of nearby Sector 46, was apprehended within hours of the incident based on CCTV footage from nearby sectors and descriptions provided by the victim and her friend. Police revealed that Bhati had prior minor offenses on record but no history of sexual crimes .

During interrogation, Bhati reportedly admitted to being in the area but denied the sexual assault, claiming the encounter was consensual—a claim vehemently rejected by investigators given the evidence of force and the victim’s immediate distress. He has been booked under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code. His judicial custody has been extended as the investigation continues.

Why Leopard Trail Is a Known Risk Zone

The Leopard Trail isn’t just a hiking path—it’s a symbol of Gurgaon’s uneasy relationship with its natural boundaries. Nestled in the ecologically sensitive Aravali range, the trail borders upscale neighborhoods yet remains minimally regulated after sunset. Key risk factors include:

Poor lighting: Streetlights end abruptly at the trailhead, plunging the area into darkness.
Limited police patrolling: Night patrols rarely venture beyond main roads.
Dense vegetation: Offers cover for criminal activity and hinders visibility.
History of incidents: Multiple reports of muggings, stalking, and wildlife encounters have been filed over the past five years .

Despite repeated pleas from residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), civic authorities have failed to implement basic safety measures like solar lighting, panic buttons, or dedicated eco-patrols.

Gurgaon’s Nighttime Safety Crisis for Women

This attack is not isolated. Gurgaon consistently ranks among India’s least safe cities for women, particularly during late-night hours. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Haryana (of which Gurgaon is a part) reported a 12% year-on-year increase in crimes against women in 2025 . Urban expansion has outpaced infrastructure, leaving vast peripheral zones—like the Aravalis fringe—in a security vacuum.

Women’s rights groups argue that the city’s planning prioritizes commercial development over public safety. “You can’t build luxury apartments next to unguarded forests and expect women to feel safe taking a walk,” said activist Priya Menon of the Gurgaon Safety Collective. For more on urban design and gender safety, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:smart-cities-women-safety-india].

Police Response and Community Reactions

The Gurgaon Police acted swiftly in this case, launching a special night patrol along the Aravali foothills within 24 hours of the incident. Officials announced plans to install 20 new CCTV cameras and deploy beat constables on bicycles for better mobility in narrow trails.

However, residents remain skeptical. “They react after something terrible happens,” said Rakesh Verma, president of a local RWA. “We’ve been asking for this for years.” Social media has erupted with demands for accountability, with hashtags like #SafeGurgaon and #JusticeForLeopardTrailVictim trending regionally.

What Needs to Change Moving Forward

Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach to prevent future tragedies:

Infrastructure upgrades: Solar streetlights, emergency call posts, and trimmed vegetation along trails.
Community policing: Training local volunteers as “safety marshals” for night walks.
Strict enforcement: Banning unauthorized entry into ecologically sensitive zones after dusk.
Awareness campaigns: Educating citizens about high-risk areas and personal safety protocols.

The Haryana Forest Department must also collaborate with urban planners to designate clear boundaries between protected wilderness and public recreation zones.

Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action

The Leopard Trail assault is a grim reminder that safety isn’t just about law enforcement—it’s about urban design, community vigilance, and political will. While the arrest of Gaurav Bhati brings a measure of immediate relief, true justice lies in ensuring no other woman suffers the same fate. Gurgaon stands at a crossroads: will it treat this as an isolated crime, or as a catalyst for systemic change? The answer will define the city’s future—and the safety of its most vulnerable residents.