Delhi Gang Rape -Sunday Dec 16,2012

The victim and her friend, who had boarded the chartered bus with tinted-glass windows at Munirka in South Delhi around 9.45 PM on Sunday night, were assaulted with an iron rod by the men as the two objected to their misbehavior with them.

The eyewitness and male friend of the 23-year-old paramedical student, who was gang-raped in a moving bus here on Sunday night, on Dec19,2012 Wednesday recorded his statement before a Delhi court.  

The 28-year-old software engineer, who along with the girl was allegedly brutally assaulted by the six offenders with an iron rod and was later thrown out of the moving bus, appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Prashant Sharma to give his eyewitness account of the incident.

The statement of the youth, who is also the complainant in the case, was recorded by the magistrate in his chamber and went on for over three hours. The documents and the file containing his statement was later kept in a sealed envelope.

The victim's friend appeared before the court on its summons to him on Delhi Police's plea for its direction for recording of his statement under section 164 (recording of confession and statement) of the CrPC, as he was the eyewitness and also the victim of the alleged incident.

The police has arrested four accused, out of which three are in police custody till December 23 and the fourth one has been remanded in 14-days' judicial custody to Tihar jail for Test Identification Parade.

The police has also claimed to have arrested the fifth accused from Bihar while the sixth one is still on run.  The fifth accused--a helper who was absconding for the past five days--was apprehended from Uttar Pradesh's Badaun and he has claimed to be a minor - Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told a press conference in the presence of Home Secretary RK Singh.

Committee formed to monitor girl's treatment

The government on Dec 20,2012 Thursday constituted a committee of five eminent doctors to monitor the treatment of the 23-year-old paramedical student, who was brutally gang-raped, and to ensure she gets the best possible medical attention.

The panel is headed by Dr S C Sharma, head of the department (HOD) of AIIMS Surgery unit, while the other members are Dr Anil Aggarwal, HOD(Gastro-Intestinal surgery) at G B Pant Hospital, Dr Sunil Jain and Dr Ajit Sinha, both consultant and professor in the Surgery department of Safdarjung Hospital and Dr Aruna Batra, HOD (Gynaecology) at Safdarjung Hospital.

Delhi rape victim taken off ventilator, 6th accused arrested

Five days after her brutal gang- rape, the 23-year-old paramedical student was on Dec 21,2012 Friday taken off ventilator support but she showed early signs of infection setting in, as government vowed to file the chargesheet in the case "quickly" and seek maximum punishment of life term for the six accused. 

Akshay Thakur, the sixth and final accused in the Delhi gang-rape case was arrested from his home in Aurangabad in Bihar

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs Summons Union Home Secretary and Delhi Police Commissioner 

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, on its part, summoned union Home Secretary RK Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on December 27 to discuss atrocities against women and the law and order situation in the national capital.  

Protest against Delhi Gang-Rape 

 

Members of AIDSO staging protest against Delhi Gang Rape Case  in Bangalore on Dec. 20, 2012

A large number of protesters under the banner of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, the Young Women’s Christian Association and the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union marched from Rajpath and crossed the barricades at the entrance to Raisina Hill. The protesters, who raised slogans “We want justice” and seeking stringent punishment for the culprits, were stopped by the police when they tried to force their way into Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 

The protests spread, rapidly and steadily, across the nation on Dec 21,2012 Friday as thousands of students, social activists and concerned citizens gathered at various places to protest against the torture and gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedical student, who continued to battle for her life in a Delhi hospital. 

 

The protests literally reached President Pranab Mukherjee's doorstep, with angry demonstrators going right up till the gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan and one even managing to enter the complex, Delhi Police finally nabbed the two men who were at large. 

In scenes unprecedented in the city, multiple protests broke out - at India Gate, Rajpath, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Jantar Mantar and 10 Janpath in the heart of Lutyens Delhi as well as outside Safdarjung Hospital, where the 23-year-old victim of the savage gang-rape fought a valiant battle against her injuries but continued to stay critical

As the evening set in, hundreds reached 10 Janpath, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's official residence, and held candle march and noisy protests. Police erected barricades and stopped anyone from entering her heavily fortified residence.Protesters being shifted from the gate of Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi on Friday Dec 21,2012

 Several activists of the Aam Aadmi Party, including Arvind Kejriwal, staged a protest near 10 Janpath, the residence of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, demanding speedy justice to the victim. The activists, who marched to Ms. Gandhi’s residence after staging a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, sat there holding candles and shouting slogans against the government.

 

 

Delhi HC Not Convinced with 'Status Report' of Delhi Police

The Delhi HC said it is not "convinced" with the status report filed by the Delhi Police which did not mention the details of police officials patrolling the area where the woman was gang-raped and tortured in a moving bus.

“A division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, “We have gone through the report and we are not convinced.” “None of the details of the police officials has been mentioned," said the court on Friday Dec 21,2012 expressing its displeasure at the police for not filing the detailed report.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit -“I personally favour gallows for rapists”

 

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Dec 21,2012 Friday termed the “horrific assault” on the 23-year-old girl a “most painful” incident for her since she assumed the top post in the capital and said she personally favoured death penalty for rapists

“Yes, personally I favour that [death penalty] for rapists. We must ensure stringent punishment for perpetrators of such heinous crime so that it acts as a deterrent,” Sheila Dikshit told reporters

“I am shocked at the way she was assaulted. It is really horrifying. We are ready to take her to any part of the world for better treatment. She is in a very critical condition. It is the most painful incident that has taken place since I became Chief Minister of Delhi,” she said.

 

Police use water cannons against protesters- Dec 22,2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police fired teargas and used water cannons as several hundred students marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan for the second day on Saturday demanding justice for the 23-year-old gangrape victim.

A boy, a girl and a traffic policeman were injured as the police directed water jets and opened a volley of teargas shells that pushed the protesters back a little even as some of the protesters braved the chill and threw waterbottles and shoes at the policemen.

The protestors gathered at India Gate from early in the morning and marched through Rajpath towards Raisina Hill. They broke security cordons erected on Rajpath and managed to reach near Raisina Hill where they were stopped.


 A telling poster during a silent protest in Hyderabad, shows the hurdles a rape victim has to cross

Victim Narrates the tale of horror - Saturday Dec 22,2012
In her detailed statement, which was hailed as “fearless and bold” by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South District) Chhaya Sharma, the victim provided an account of the horror she and her male friend went through on the fateful night.
The victim purportedly told the SDM -

• around 9.30 p.m. while she and her friend were standing at a bus stop at Munirka, they were called into the bus by the juvenile accused Rahul (name changed), who told them that the bus would go towards Palam. On entering the vehicle, the victims found that in all there were six others besides them in the vehicle.

• A few minutes into the ride, her friend got suspicious as the bus had deviated from the supposed route and the other occupants had shut the door. When he objected, the six accused taunted them, asking what they were doing together so late in the night. 

• A scuffle then ensued between the software engineer and others. The 28-year-old was hit on the head by Ram Singh. The woman was then dragged to the rear end of the vehicle by Rahul and Akshay Singh.

• After hitting her friend, who fell unconscious, Ram Singh went to the back of the bus and was the first to force himself on her

• the attackers threatened both the victims that they would be thrown out of the bus. Initially, the accused had only intended to throw the boy out of the vehicle but later they changed their mind after both the victims fell unconscious due to the torture they were subjected to

• the two were thrown off it by the accused at Mahipalpur. The attackers had also robbed the victims of their clothes and belongings

The statement was recorded by a sub-divisional magistrate at the Safdarjung Hospital here on
Dec 21,2012 Friday night

BJP offers financial help to gang-rape victim

The Bharatiya Janta Party has announced a cash assistance of Rs. 5 lakh to the gang-rape victim, undergoing treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital.

State unit president Vijender Gupta on Dec 22,2012 Saturday urged the medical superintendent of the hospital, to constitute a ‘Victim and Family Relief Fund’ to offer help to the girl and her family members.

 

Delhi Metro stations shut - Sunday Dec 23,2012
Anticipating more protests on the gangrape of a young girl, eight Delhi Metro stations near Raisina Hill and India Gate were on Sunday closed for public.
 Last night it was decided to close four stations -- Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan and Race Course -- but this morning it was extended to three more including Barakhamba, Mandi House, Khan Market and Pragati Maidan.
The stations will remain closed till DMRC gets further orders from the Delhi Police.

Crackdown at India Gate, crowds defy detention

On Sunday Dec 23,2012,Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in New Delhi district except Jantar Mantar. Protesters may go to Ramlila Maidan or Jantar Mantar. Traffic has been diverted from Vijay Chowk and Rajpath

All routes leading to Rashtrapati Bhawan have been barricaded. Vijay Chowk has been completely cleared by police. Police have urged protesters to move to Ramlila ground. "We will not let protesters gather at India gate, if people try to enter the area they will be detained," said a Delhi Police

143 injured in violent protests - Sunday Dec 23,2012

At least 143 people, including 78 policemen, were injured while a police constable is battling for his life in a city hospital after a mass protest at India Gate in support of the December 16 gangrape survivor turned violent Sunday, said Delhi police. 

According to police, 78 policemen and 65 protesters were injured in the day-long agitation in New Delhi at the India Gate and the surrounding area.

The 65 protesters, who suffered injuries, were evacuated from Inida Gate around 5.30 pm on Sunday according to Delhi Police.

Delhi Police had to use around 250 tear gas shells and repeated baton charges to evacuate protesters from the India Gate area. "Hooligans among the protestors resorted stone pelting. Around 12 DTC buses and equal number of PCR vans were damaged in the day long incident. One vehicle of Delhi Doordarshan was also damaged by the hooligans," said police

 

Gangrape Protests - Monday Dec 24,2012

A day after the police crackdown on anti-rape protesters at India Gate, the police have now cleared the media from India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan. All media vans have been removed from the two locations and the policemen have told the media that they could not assemble there as Section 144 was in place. 

All the roads leading to India Gate have also been heavily barricaded. 

As a precautionary measure, nine metro stations around India Gate, namely Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Khan Market, Race Course, Rajiv Chowk and Barakhamba will be shut on Monday

Anti-rape protesters undeterred, shift protest venue to Jantar Mantar - Monday Dec 24,2012

Gangrape survivor's father demands death penalty for culprits - Monday Dec 24,2012

The father of the Delhi gangrape survivor has appealed for calm and has said that her daughter's tormentors deserve death penalty. As the angry protesters continued with their agitation in New Delhi on Sunday, the father of the 23-year-old paramedical student said his daughter is a "fighter" and he is confident she will "overcome all obstacles". "I appeal to the people supporting her not to indulge in violence. I want them to support us peacefully and pray for my daughter's recovery," he said in an interview with CNN-IBN

Constable Subhash Tomar injured at India Gate dies

Delhi Police constable Subhash Tomar, who was injured in Sunday's clashes, died at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi on Dec 25,2012 Tuesday morning. Tomar was seriously injured after protests at India Gate turned violent and police lathicharged the agitators, some of whom also pelted stones at policemen.

 

Subhash Tomar(46) posted at Karawal Nagar police station, was deployed on law and order duty, and was rushed to the hospital after being injured and was put on ventilator support 

 

 

 

Delhi Police say eight people were arrested on Monday in connection with the injury of the constable and were booked for rioting and attempt to murder.

One of those who were arrested has been identified as Chaman Kumar of Aam Aadmi Party(AAP)

HM announces ex-gratia for deceased constable's family

The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar. This in addition to the financial and other relief announced by the Delhi Police on Tuesday Dec 25,2012

 

Delhi Gang Rape Victim Air-lifted to Singapore Hospital

 

An air ambulance carrying the woman landed at Singapore Changi International Airport early on Dec 27,2012 Thursday, the Indian High Commission in Singapore told news agencies.

The victim - who has already had three operations in Delhi - was then taken to the Singapore Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Delhi Gang Rape Victim Dies -Saturday Dec 29,2012 

The 23-year old girl who was brutally gangraped and assaulted with an iron rod by six men aboard a moving bus in the national capital on December 16,2012 died at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital at 2.15 am on Saturday Dec 29,2012

The girl had been struggling against odds and fighting for her survival for the past 12 days. The odds were stacked against her as she had suffered significant brain injury, intestinal damage, cardiac arrests and multiple organ failure. Her small intestine had to be removed by the doctors at Safdarjung Hospital where she was under treatment for 10 days before she was airlifted to Singapore.
On Friday Dec 28,2012, the Mount Elizabeth Hospital reported that the girl had suffered significant brain injury and that it could take months, not weeks, for her to fully recover. The hospital, in a statement, had said that girl was in an extremely critical condition and on full ventilator support, adding that she unfit for surgery.

Delhi Gang Rape Case - Timeline

December 16, 2012: The young paramedic student is raped and beaten up by six men in a moving private bus and thrown out of it after 30 minutes of torture along with her male friend. They are admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital the same night.
December 17, 2012: Police indentify four men who raped and assaulted the girl. Victim's full extent of internal injuries determined by doctors.
December 18, 2012: Nation outraged by the brutal gangrape while the incident shakes up Parliament with Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj demanding death penalty for rapists. Protests carried out by students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University on the Ring Road near the Munirka signal against the gangrape. A total of four accused arrested, including bus driver and main accused Ram Singh, search on for two others.
December 19, 2012: Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital treating the victim announce she is communicating through writing messages but still not out of danger. Permit of the bus, which the incident happened, cancelled by the Transport Department.
December 20, 2012: Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and Jamia Milia demonstrated outside Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit's residence against the government's failure to curb the rising number of such crimes against women. The eyewitness and male friend of the victim gives statement.
December 21, 2012: Safdarjung doctors say the victim is stable, but still critical. She is taken off the ventilator. Her male friend identifies one of the accused, Mukesh, during the test identification prade at Tihar jail. Police conducts raids in Haryana and Bihar, nab one more accused.
December 22, 2012: Protests against the gangrape pick up with nation wide outrage on the incident. Thousands gather at India Gate, as victim remains critical. Victim gives statement to the sub-divisional magistrate.
December 23, 2012: Protests against the Delhi gangrape turn violent. Protesters defy prohibitory orders of the government, face police's water cannons and tear gas shells. Constable Subhash Tomar of Delhi Police seriously injured during clashes at India Gate. The young victim's heath remains serious with bouts of vomitting, although she was communicating and conscious. She also suffered internal bleeding.
December 24, 2012: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh makes statement regarding the gangrape and the following protests. Appeals for calm and assures stringent measures for women in the country. Two gangrape accused brought before a Delhi court say they committed a horrible crime and "deserved to be hanged".
December 25, 2012: Doctors treating the victim say she is responding to the treatment despite being critical. Constable Subhash Tomar succumbs to injuries sustained during December 23 protests at India Gate. Platelet count and liver function of the gangrape victim improves. She gives her statement again to metropolitan magistrate after CM Dikshit complains to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde that senior police officials "interfered" in the process. However, the victim's health deteriorates the same night.
December 26, 2012: Protests against the gangrape continue at Jantar Mantar. Constable Tomar cremated with full state honours. Victim shifted to Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital in a sudden move after her condition deteriorates and she suffers cardiac arrest.
December 27, 2012: The victim remains critical in the ICU of Mount Elizabeth Hospital. 3,000 security personnel, from Delhi Police and para-military forces, man Delhi roads to stop any violent demonstration.
December 28, 2012: Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi demands speedy justice in the case. Doctors at Mount Elizabeth say the victim's condition worsened with signs of multiple organ failure. She gets infection in the lungs and abdomen as well as an injury to the brain.
December 29, 2012: The victim succumbs to massive internal injuries after battling with them for over 12 days. She died at 2:15 am Indian Standard Time on December 29.

Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik creates a sculpture in Puri, Odisha to pay homage to the Delhi braveheart

Sand artist Raj Kapoor holds a candle near a sculpture at the Sangam to pay tribute to the Delhi braveheart in Allahabad.

 A young girl leads a protest march in Delhi while holding torches as they mourn the death of the girl.

A man and a woman dressed as Lady Justice join mourners in Delhi to demand justice for the braveheart. The placard says,'war for justice'.

Women shout slogans as they participate in a rally demanding women's rights and mourning the death of the 23-year-old girl in Kolkata

Condolence Messages

"I am deeply distressed by the unfortunate demise of the 23-year-old girl who passed away early this morning in Singapore. She was a brave and courageous girl who fought till the very last minute for her dignity and her life. She is a true hero and symbolises the best in Indian youth and women," said President Pranab Mukerjee in a message.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed the hope that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to make India a demonstrably safer place to live in.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that the incident had shamed her government. She added that her thoughts were with the family and she hoped that the city never sees a repeat of such a barbaric incident. Dikshit appealed to people to maintain peace and calm. She said that the girl fought very courageously for her life and it was a terrible news that she was no more alive.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde  said "A real tribute to her will be to ensure maximum punishment to the culprits. I pledge to work to strengthen the laws and ensure that such an incident never gets repeated again."

Rape victim cremated-Sunday Dec 30,2012

 

The Rape Victim was cremated in a rush and away from the public eye, with the government taking control. Security in the area was beefed up as the woman’s mortal remains were consigned to the flames at Dwarka crematorium within hours of the arrival of the body from Singapore early this morning.

Though the body reached the crematorium around 5-45 a.m. and was put on the pyre by 6 a.m., the victim’s father lit it at around 7-30 a.m. as the family members protested against the police rushing them to get the cremation done before sunrise. 

The area was fortified with a large number of policemen and members of the Rapid Action Force in anti-riot gear guarding the area and keeping a close vigil. Deployment of security personnel had started on Saturday night. 

The 23-year-old victim had breathed her last at a Singapore hospital on Saturday, after a 13-day battle for life following the brutal assault on her by six persons in a moving bus on December 16,2012

  

Sheila Dikshit joins march demanding justice for gang-rape victim -Wednesday Jan 02,2013

Delhi Chief MInister Sheila Dikshit at Rajghat after taking part in the Mahila Suraksha March' to protest against the gang rape of the 23-year-old girl, in New Delhi