National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Mamta Sharma on Friday described the gang rape of a young photojournalist in Mumbai as extremely unfortunate, especially at a time when the country is yet to get over the horror of the December 16, 2012 rape case.
"On this incident, I will say that the country is still reeling from the Delhi incident and now again another gang rape, that too in Mumbai. Whenever I go to Mumbai, I am always told that comparatively its women are safer. But, an incident like this occurring on a journalist is extremely unfortunate," Sharma said.
" We will send a committee but also enquire how many perpetrators have been arrested and how many have not because the police commissioner in the area, Satya Pal Singh if I am not mistaken, is a very responsible and clever so I want that the arrests are made quickly. We must also find out what the state of the girl is-will she survive after the brutal rape? So, today I will go and take action on this," she added.
Additionally, Sharma said that the judiciary has to be stricter in order to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are deterred with a hefty sentence.
"The judiciary also has to be very strict and that perpetrators of these crimes should be under arrest for several years, without letting them leave at all. I believe that it is difficult to stop these incidents if we do not penetrate fear. However, I know that it is most important to bring an end to this contaminated mindset," Sharma said.
A 22-year-old photojournalist, interning for a lifestyle magazine, was allegedly raped by at least three among a group of five men at an abandoned mill close to the railway tracks in the Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai last night.
The incident reportedly took place at around 8 p.m. when the girl and her male colleague were at Shakti Mills, which is located very close to the railway tracks in the Mahalaxmi area, shooting for a magazine assignment.
"The victim had gone along with her friend to the Shakti Mills to take some photographs. It was evening time. And, there the two boys...and based on the statements given by them (others detained in the case for questioning), three more men came, who then raped her," Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.
In a chilling reminder of the December 16 gang rape in Delhi, the men tied up the victim's friend and raped the woman.
The victim is recuperating in Jaslok Hospital. Preliminary reports suggested she has sustained multiple internal injuries.
A special squad has been formed by the local police as well as by the crime branch to probe into the case and investigators has fanned out across the city to trace the accused.
