Mumbai Police today released sketches of five accused in the shocking gangrape case of a 22-year-old photojournalist here and picked up about 20 people for questioning besides fanning out teams across the city to track the culprits
A day after the photojournalist, who was working as an intern with an English magazine was gangraped allegedly by five men, a special squad has been formed by the local police as well as by the Crime Branch to probe the case.
Also Read: Four held for Mumbai journalist's gangrape
ADVERTISEMENT
"We have taken the case very seriously and are working on it on a war-footing. We have activated all our informers and at the same time released sketches of the five accused. We hope to catch the accused soon," said a police official.
The sketches have been prepared on the basis of the description provided by the victim's male colleague, who was tied up by the accused before they sexually assaulted the woman.
Also Read: 22-year-old photojournalist gangraped at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Mill compound
The woman was allegedly gangraped by five men at around 8 pm yesterday near Shakti Mills in Mahalaxmi. The victim was on an assignment, doing a story on 'chawl' when the offence took place, police said.
In a chilling reminder of the December gangrape in Delhi, the men tied up the victim's friend and raped the woman. The accused were apparently in 24 to 30 years age group. Police are likely to parade about 20 suspects, who have been picked up in connection with the case, before the male colleague of the victim for identification, sources said.
Earlier, police said they have picked up about 20 people for questioning but obtained no leads in the case so far. In a statement given to police, the girl said the five goons were present in the Shakti Mills compound. They started making lewd remarks and harassed her. When her friend intervened, two of them assaulted him. Three others took her inside the dilapidated structure and raped her.
The victim has been admitted to Jaslok Hospital. Preliminary reports suggested that she sustained multiple internal injuries, they said. Dr Taran Gyanchandani, acting CEO of the hospital, said, "We are doing the needful...she is under strict observation." A gangrape case has been registered in N M Joshi Marg police station.
The statement of the victim's friend has been recorded, police said. They claimed the victim has identified two of the accused by their names. She told police that two of them were calling each other as Rupesh and Sajid, they said, adding that some drug addicts have been picked up from the area for questioning. Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil had visited the victim at Jaslok Hospital. "This is a very serious matter. We have taken note of it. The accused will be arrested soon," Patil told reporters outside the hospital. He said Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh has been directed to ensure that the culprits are arrested soon. u00a0
Victim stable, says Jaslok doctor
Dr Tarang Gianchandani, Acting CEO & Director - Medical Services at Jaslok Hospital, where the victim is being treated, stated that the patient is now stable and that the hospital is doing its best.
“The patient is with us after the unfortunate incident since last night. With regards to patient confidentiality, we cannot give you any further information,” Dr Gianchandani added.u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
