The incident has once again raised questions over women's safety in the national capital.

Decomposed body found days after crime

The incident came to light on September 13 when the decomposed body of the teenager was found near Jaipal Rana's field in the Swaroop Nagar area on Kushak Road in northwest Delhi.

Police said the body had decomposed to such an extent that the victim's gender could not initially be ascertained.

Parts of the body had been eaten by stray dogs, while one of her hands was found severed from the body, police said.

All accused in police custody

The adult accused has been identified as Shivam alias Sudama alias Chuchu, a resident of Khadda Colony.

The three other accused are juveniles aged 16 and 17, according to police.

All the accused are now in police custody. 

A case has been registered under relevant sections of BNS and POCSO Act, NDTV reported. 

The preliminary investigation found that the accused knew the victim and that she had been travelling with them in a tempo.

Victim allegedly assaulted after drinking

According to the preliminary investigation, the group had been drinking together before the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Police said the accused then allegedly stabbed her to death and dumped her body in the open field.

CCTV footage helps police trace tempo

CCTV footage showed a tempo moving through the area around the relevant time. However, its registration number could not be clearly seen because of poor visibility and darkness.

Police subsequently examined multiple CCTV recordings to trace the vehicle and identify those involved.

The investigation focused on the intervening night of September 15 and 16, and police identified and questioned the tempo driver.

Tempo, knives and clothes recovered

Police have recovered the tempo, two knives allegedly used in the crime and the torn clothes of the victim.

Officials said no missing-person complaint had been filed because the victim's parents told police that she would often leave home and return after a few days.

Further investigation is underway.