Mumbai police told to do 'whatever it takes' to solve 'tragic' gang rape case: R.P.N. Singh

Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh on Friday said that the Mumbai Police has been asked to do whatever it takes to nab all the accused persons in the gang rape of a young photojournalist on Thursday evening.

"It is an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident which has happened in Mumbai. We have asked for a detailed report from the Mumbai Police. We have also asked the Mumbai Police to take immediate action to do whatever it takes to arrest the accused and the harshest punishment should be meted out to these people," Singh said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde confirmed that one accused person has been arrested with regard to last evenings incident in Mumbai. Shinde also assured that the Mumbai Police is investigating the incident thoroughly.

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.