Mumbai gangrape case: Shinde makes statement in Lok Sabha, assures speedy justice

Making a statement in Parliament on the Mumbai photojournalist gangrape case, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Monday said he had asked the Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil to ensure the fast tracking of the case and also assured the House that early judgement will be delivered.

"The statement of the male companion of the survivor has been recorded, based on that the police released the sketches. A gangrape case has been registered in the NM Joshi marg police station," Shinde told the Lok Sabha.

"The male companion has given some vital clues. Mumbai Police launched a massive manhunt operation and all five men have been arrested. I trust the Maharashtra government. They will fast track the case and justice will be done soon," he added

Meanwhile, the family of the photojournalist who was gangraped by five persons inside an unused mill last week, has thanked the public for their support, and sought the severest punishment for the accused.

In a statement issued here, they said: "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."

The statement came after Mumbai Police confirmed that they had arrested all of the five accused. Four of them have been sent to judicial custody till August 30. Salim Ansari, 27, was arrested in Delhi on Sunday and brought back to Mumbai late last night.

The gang rape of the photo-journalist has provoked anger and comparisons with the fatal gang-rape of a young student on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012.

According to media reports, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has promised that the case will be fast-tracked. He has asked noted criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam to appear as public prosecutor in the case.