Gang-rape case: PM, Sonia say guilty will not be spared

Say they share the anguish and anger of the country over the incident

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today stressed that no time should be lost in bringing the perpetrators of the barbaric gangrape to justice while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the guilty will not be spared.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the 127th Foundation Day of Congress at AICC headquarters here, both Gandhi and Singh said they shared the anguish and the anger of the country over the December 16 incident.

Gandhi, who usually extends New Year wishes on this occasion skipped doing so, saying, "Our thoughts are with the young woman, who is fighting for her life after the barbarous attack on her. And our only wish today is that she recovers and comes back to us and that no time is lost in bringing the perpetrators of such barbarous act to justice."

The Prime Minister, who stood by her side, gave the asssurance that "government is committed to bringing the guilty to justice as soon as possible."

Asked about the government's initiatives for speedy trial of rape accused, the Prime Minister said the government has appointed a committee under Justice J S Verma, former Chief Justice of India, to suggest ways and means for modifications in the laws related to crime against women.

"The Congress President has mentioned that we share the anguish and the anger of the country over this heinous crime. Our prayers are with the brave young girl and that best possible medical care is being provided to her," Singh said.

He said that a committee under Justice Usha Mehra has also been appointed to examine if there were any lapses on anybody's part in the aftermath of the incident.

"So, you have my assurance that our government is committed to bringing the guilty to justice as soon as possible," Singh said.

The 23-year-old victim is currently being treated in a super-speciality hospital in Singapore at state expense.

Gandhi also held a meeting in her party office with the Prime Minister and senior ministers and Congress leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.