Mumbai: The condition of the 23-year-old photojournalist who was brutally raped by five men is improving steadily, doctors attending to the girl said in a statement. "The patient's condition is steadily improving. Our team of experts are continuously monitoring her," said a statement released by Jaslok hospital, where the girl is being treated.
The family of the girl has also released a statement thanking the police, media and the public for their support but requested their privacy be maintained. "My daughter and I are overwhelmed with the support given to us by the police, the media and the public at large during such a nightmarish phase for us. We want to thank you all for showing sensitivity and restraint which has given us strength, hope and courage to pick up the pieces of our lives after the most tragic incident. We would also like to thank the authorities including the Jaslok hospital staff and management, the state administration, the Chief Minister's office and Mumbai Police for their support and prompt action. We would also like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to other patients and their relatives during this time We hope and pray for your continued support and campaign in the fight for justice for my daughter and women at large in India. Now that stringent laws are in place, we are optimistic that your and the government's efforts will help fast track the matter so that the severest of punishment is meted out. This will ensure that even the most sick-minded think twice before they act in such an inhuman and insensitive way. I have one small request to all of you," read the statement.
Earlier in the day, the Crime Branch arrested the fifth and the last accused from Delhi-Haryana border in the gangrape case. Delhi Police sources claimed that the accused was trying to seek transit refuge at a relative's place and was arranging to flee to Bangladesh via Kishanganj, Bihar. According to sources, he was being taken to Rohini court where he will be produced. Mumbai Police will seek his transit remand.
The fourth accused was also arrested in the morning by Mumbai Crime Branch. The third and fourth accused were produced in the Metropolitan Magistrate's court. They will be in police custody till August 30.
The first accused in the case was arrested on Friday and had reportedly confessed to his crime while he also identified the other four. The second accused was arrested from a South Mumbai video parlour late on Friday night and the third accused was arrested on Saturday.
The survivor's statement to the police reveals how they led the photojournalist into a trap before brutalising her. The photojournalist, who was allegedly gangraped by five men at Shakti Mill in Parel area of central Mumbai, said, "Rape is not the end of life. I want strictest punishment for all the accused and want to join duty as early as possible".
This is the message the young photojournalist has sent out from her hospital bed to people who feel outraged at her gangrape by five men at the abandoned Shakti Mills compound.
The police have said that all five accused are local residents and had accosted the 23-year-old photojournalist while she was taking some pictures of the mill. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Friday, Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh had said the accused told the woman and her male colleague that they were on railway property and photography was not allowed there.
The police had also released the sketches of all accused on Friday. The sketches were prepared on the basis of the details given by the photojournalist and her colleague. Over a dozen police team have fanned out across the city and a massive manhunt has been launched to arrest all the culprits. The survivor had also named two of the suspects, police said.
The 23-year-old photojournalist was allegedly gangraped by five men on Thursday evening at Shakti Mill in Parel area of Central Mumbai. The woman was accompanied by a male colleague, who was gagged and bound while she was raped.
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