A file photo of people shouting slogans and hold placards during a protest against rape in New Delhi earlier this year. PHOTO: REUTERS
The attack took place on Thursday evening in an upmarket district of central Mumbai as the 23-year-old woman and a male colleague were taking photos of old buildings for a magazine.
The pair were approached by members of the gang and told they should not be there. The man was then tied up with a belt while the woman was raped repeatedly nearby, Mumbai's police commissioner Satyapal Singh told reporters.
"It is a shameful and extremely disturbing event," he said.
One man in his early 20s has been arrested while the hunt is on for his four alleged accomplices, who have been identified by police. Sketches of the accused have been released.
The victim, reportedly an intern, is undergoing treatment at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital and preliminary reports suggest multiple internal injuries, a police officer told AFP. A hospital statement said she was "stable".
The attack, which shocked a city seen as far safer for women than the capital, happened in an abandoned mill compound next to an area of upscale apartment blocks, shops and restaurants.
On Friday, police stood watch in forested patches while others walked through overgrown grass around the cordoned-off crime scene, where greenery has crept over the walls of the derelict structure.
"We are 100 percent confident of cracking the case," Singh said, adding that 20 police teams have been formed as part of the investigation.
"We will gather all the clinching evidence and aim to get the maximum punishment, which we hope will be done through a fast-track court."
The incident comes eight months after another 23-year-old woman was gang-raped by five men in a moving bus in New Delhi, while her male companion was beaten up. She died two weeks later from severe injuries.
A trial is in its final stages in that case, which sparked massive protests and led to a tougher anti-rape law.
The new measures increased punishment for sex offenders, which now include the death penalty if a victim dies, and broadened the definition of sexual assault.
Sex crimes have continued across India since the December 16 gang-rape, and Thursday's attack once again captured the attention of the media and public.
"Women need to be vigilant and aware of themselves and the surroundings. There is no solution, no cure," Swati Pillai, who works in south Mumbai with an advertising firm, told AFP.
Business manager and mother Manjiri Jamadagni said the incident was "very disturbing".
"Bombay was always safe but in recent years it's been changing. It's not the same," she said, using Mumbai's former name.
The city council came under fire in May for a proposal to ban lingerie-clad mannequin dummies in shops and markets for fear they could encourage sex crime.
Thursday's attack sparked anger on social media websites, and journalist groups protested in Mumbai on Friday afternoon, with many holding signs which read "Mumbai: India's New Rape Capital" and "Bring Rapists To Book!".
India's parliament in New Delhi also erupted in anger.
India's Law Minister Kapil Sibal said sex assaults must be dealt with "in the most severe fashion".
"This country cannot afford to have our women (and) children insecure in the hands of those who attack them," he told reporters.
COMMENTS (90)
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I think India should focus on fixing its own country rather than thinking of ways to destablilize Pakistan and funding them as well. For example, BLA, TTP. As far as the rape goes, its a very sad act indeed. And for all the indian commentators here talking crap about Pak, there are thousands of rapes that go down in your country and the victim doesnt even file the complaint because of fear. Go ahead and look at the statistics if you think I'm lying. Almost half the amount of rape incidents go down unnoticed.
@indi:
"while even in safest of safe cities around the world rape happens"
What a justification ............. India is full of rapist appligists
@Asad Khan: You Rock bro!
@Deepwater: Sir, you are calling a social disease; "A dirty laundry". In the west "Dirty Laundry" term means Normal part of a person or society's daily life & just like clothes getting dirty & need routine laundry but must be hidden from others to see & smell. Please don't compare the Western term of "Open Society" to our beloved India.
By Pakistani standards Mumbai rape or the Delhi bus are not rapes since the victim did not have 4 male eyewitnesses. They just had one male eyewitness
No 4 male witnesses=No rape=no statistics.. simple
@Kamil Read this http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/afghanistan-pakistan/outlawed-in-pakistan/the-stigma-of-reporting-a-rape-in-pakistan/
Rape in India is no longer swept under the rug like it used to. The victims are no longer blamed so are more willing to come forward. The police are more likely take action as is happening in this case. Fast track courts have been setup to prosecute such crimes. The media glare is unrelenting.
All in all, much has changed since the gruesome Delhi case less than a year ago. Over time, these changes will get results. Some good will have come out of that tragedy.
India is an open society that is "liberalising" at a rapid pace. Its people, particularly its wired youth, want change and are willing to come out on the street to demand change be it against rape crimes or against corruption. The dirty laundry, so to say, is being aired for all to see but that is the way of open societies. That does not mean that such crimes are simply confined to India. On the contrary, it means that India is a farther along in its catharsis than other societies.
@Kamil: If you cant give quality life then it is better not to give birth. In Pakistan girls are sold in red light area or eaten by dogs when they are left at road side. This I am not saying but this was the justification given by your media which produce TV serials where baby's are gifted.
@Maria: While on the subject of abusing teenaged girls, I wonder if you have heard about the infamous British grooming gangs. I assume you would not want people in general to make assumptions about your Pakistani brethren based on such incidents.
P.S. Here's a link to the report on overwhelming Pakistani connection to the grooming rings: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10065046/Pakistani-community-must-tackle-grooming-gangs-justice-minister-insists.html
Stop Pakistan vs. India comparisons. Why does it matter where there are more rapes? Wherever there is rape, the entire world must stand behind the victim regardless of caste, country or creed. As a Pakistani, I hope the culprits of this disgusting crime are brought to justice. COMPARING STATISTICS IS A NEVER-ENDING GAME BECAUSE UNDER-REPORTING AND OTHER ISSUES LEAVE A VERY BIG MARGIN OF ERROR. Pakistan and India both have massive progress to make as far as women's rights are concerned. Indians, pls stop Pakistan bashing. Pakistanis, pls show some humanity. Peace.
@indi: "unlike Pakistan"!! Well because here the rape crimes are almost in a fraction when compared with the situation in india. Here read this news below which shows the severity of the problem in india: "JAIPUR: A 35-year-old man allegedly raped his 3-year-old daughter under inebriated condition after his wife refused to have sex with him in the early hours on Wednesday." Times of India August 22, 2013.
"The government says around 10 million girls have been killed by their parents -- either before or immediately after birth -- over the past 20 years." Hindustan Times. I used to be sad about millions of girls who have been killed by their parents in india even before they were born for the sin of being a girl. But then perhaps they were lucky in a way to have missed growing up in india
Laws alone will not curb rapes. When the rape of a girl happened in a moving bus in New Delhi,there was huge outcry to frame new tough to curb rape. Now,this another gruesome rape. The victim should not have ventured into a desolate area,for taking photographs. One has to be more careful,and it applies to males also.
This is a shameful act.
But, the response of 2 neighbouring societies to acts of crime against women is startlingly different.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/580534/brutality-woman-dies-during-rape/
A similar shameful event took place in Pakistan last month, yet there were no protests, no condemnations. I bet it was not even front page news.
Although I am disgusted by crimes against women in India, I always find hope by the people who take to the streets to bring about change. Rape is not a page 2 or page 3 event in India anymore. Only by admitting one's problems can we tackle it.
Rape, unprovoked firing and funding terrorists are few of the things we can expect from India anytime...
ET: u pro-indian paper...lets c if u publish my this factual statement
@Alann: Why can't India protect the rights of women. Sadly, India is called the rape centre of the world but unless Indians accdept that they have a systemic problem with rape in their society and culture, they will never be able to overcome it. I remember watching a TV show in California where young Indian men were trying to lure and abuse teenaged American girls. Ask any American woman what she thinks of India and you'll see her answer.
Better yet; There was some benefit of Sex Workers. They are unknowingly saving non-willing chaste women from such terrible events. √Next time you see one, say "thank you" for the voluntary sacrifice of priceless dignity they offered for few bucks.
@MJ: Just shows how ignorant you are about the press and media in India. Firstly, comments are freely published not only in the TOI but all Indian papers, provided, of course, you do not use Urdu expletives, invectives and obscenities which Pakistanis, invariably, resort to when they are losing an argument or are trapped in an intellectual exchange of views. Having said that, I sometimes wonder if Indian papers are not anti-Indian in their agenda, considering that they allow an overwhelming majority of readers from Pakistan to express their views not only on Pakistan-related stories but also on the internal politics of India (with which I have no problem, of course, given the free expression right of every individual which is embedded in the Indian constitution). It is, therefore, absurd on your part, Sir, to say that Pakistani has greater freedom of the press than in India where freedom of expression is considered a birthright of every Indian. In contrast, Pakistan's media has been, time and again from its birth, muzzled and raped (sorry for using this term, but it fits here well) by dictators, mullahs and politicians who feel uncomfortable at the power of the pen.
And I ask you why does bollywood always depict women scantily clad, jumping around half naked and acting like a fool in most of their movies.
@salim ansari: your comment is worse than the act of rape itself. okay...4 rapists were muslims but what about other 400 rapeists in the last 400 days....they were hindus.it is strange that you are trying to associate it with communities instead of accepting that rape is a heinous crime and rapists are monsters and therefore must be dealt with firmly.
@1984: very sensible...the ghastly act should make us ashamed instead all of us are justifying it by insisting that one country is superior to others since another one has a couple of more incidents like this.
@ Nivraj Are you serious? You can't be :-(
@MJ: The reason why we dont see any abuse in Tribune but in TOI is because ET has human moderators while TOI its just a program..So in case you are cursing someone,you just need to type in a wrong spelling and it will pass through the moderation filter....
If you want to see Pakistanis showing their real emotions through comments..Check youtube(after using some proxy as its banned now in ur country)..You will Pakistanis taunting Indians with their choice of words in many videos which they think Indians visit...They dont even leave the music videos...
@lol: Safer place? May be you your definition of rape is blurred. In a country where a rape victim needs to bring 4 witnesses to prove her case and in failing so would be thrown in jail, how do you even expect a case even being reported? People in India are becoming more and more intolerant towards the rape and country wide protests shows people are really sick and want the rapists to be punished to the maximum.When was the last general protest in Pakistan against a rape? Although there have been so many against load shedding.This pretty much shows the priorities.
@lol: No. Your woman are not safer. You simply do not allow them to go out on their own. They are just locked up in their homes and even here they are not safe. They cannot ride a bicycle even. Walk any street in India. You will find equal number of men and woman on the streets and that too unaccompanied by a male family member. Now look at the streets in Pakistan. You will get the picture. You will hardly find a woman who is not accompanied by her male family member.
@Truth Detector: Could you please tell me when was the last country wide protest happened in Pakistan against a rape case? And please don't tell us there are no rapes in Pakistan.
Now you know why Thai premier didn't visit India.
@salim ansari: Never mind if they are Bangladeshi Muslims. The fact is that these guys would not be able to do the same here in USA. There are many wrongs, and many moral wrongs going on in India and it should change.
All those who are finding solace in a rape which took place to placate their peace of mind and to further rouse their delusional feelings of India: SHAME ON YOU! A woman was raped and you guys find it satisfying to satiate your desire in trumping on a India Vs Pak internet keyboard warrior game? SHAME ON YOU yet again!
ET: If you hold up the values and ethos of fair reporting and journalism then kindly let my comment pass without any editions whatsoever!
@Truth Detector: ET published three of my 4 comments. They did not allow one of my comment. Let us see if they publish.
To all the Indian commentators freely expressing their views on this Pakistani Newspaper .... try writing something against the popular belief in India on Times of India. Specially if the comments have a hint that they are being written by Pakistanis. The get abused and cussed at by Indian commentators, or the moderators don't publish it or delete it immediately. You guys should be thankful that there is more freedom of press and regards to other people's opinion in Pakistani media than Indian popular media.
I never said Pakistan is 100% safe from rapes, it happens in our country too, but looking at India in recent times, I can safely say that our women are much safer in Pakistan. As far as media reporting is concerned, I think there are many rapes in India as well which go unnoticed by the media, so add those to these recent incidents. Even though Indian society is way more open than Pakistan & claims to give more freedom to women as oppose to Pakistan, there is so many rape incidents happening over there is what is alarming me. Better look at yourself, we've been always tagged as oppressors, it is high time that you people look into your own so called free society which is going in the wrong direction :)
Very Sad story! May God have mercy on women folk there.
@Nivraj: Its quite clear that you are single.If you have lived with a woman,you would realize that the beauty of a woman is her nature and not physical attributes.
@KD: Kiddo! No two countries are alike. √Probably you havent been to either of the countries. Specially go to a busy bazar or just ride a publuc bus in any of the country you commenting here about. √Better yet, contact an Indian & a Pakistani woman on web thru facebook, news paper, twitter or radio tv shows etc she will tell you the reality.
Let me tell the readers one incidence that happened in front of my eyes. We were having lunch in an Indian restaurant. Indian cricketer who at that time was prominently named in Hansie Cronje scandal, was with his friends in the table nest to ours. The girl taking orders was an oriental girl. The cricketer and his friends thought that the girl did not know hindi and were passing sexual comments on her. They did not bother though we were with our family in the table next to theirs. The girl noticed for some time and told them that she can understand hindi and clearly understands what they were commenting on her. This cricketer and his friends were totally ashamed, finished their food quickly and left the restaurant. There was total silence from their table after the girl spoke out.
The main problem in India is that we often see boys and even grown up and married woman passing sexual comments. When I recall, it used to be a very common occurrence when I was in India many decades ago. During my recent visits, I have seen this going down but unfortunately, boys and men brushing up on girls and woman in crowded places is still the same. Lot of which has to do with the families of boys as their families tolerate these or take it lightly. These acts are more seen in northern India than in the south. Mumbai used to be safer for woman, compared to Delhi. But it is not so any longer, it seems. We see groups of boys sitting in roadside and doing nothing but just keep on watching girls who pass by and commenting on them. These acts corrupt their minds further and further and they end up in rapes. Police also take lightly to these acts. One way to control and change is that the police should summarily arrest these boys and keep them in lock-up for 3 days even for their first offense. This would bring some shame to these boys and also their families and a change may be seen. Imagine if a famous cricketer can do this when he visits USA what he would be doing in India.
@Human: Rape is a heinous crime and the worst thing you can do to a woman. That it should happen in India, with an alarming rate of frequency, is indeed shameful. However, what is heartening is that people take to the streets immediately and want the culprits to be brought to justice. In the process, neither politicians nor the local police are spared. The remarkable thing about this outburst of anger and outrage is that MEN protest and call for protection of women, realizing that this is a crime that is utterly deplorable and calling for its immediate stoppage and prevention. Remember: every man born in this world comes from the womb of a woman who has to be respected in the form of wife, sister, daughter and even as a friend. Of course, Pakistan, the 'land of the pure', never has such incidents because the victims of such horrifying crimes that rob them of their dignity, also play into the hands of the street thugs and goons of politicians, not to mention the police and the legal experts who want four MALES to testify that the victim was really raped. What a society and what uncivilized people who have the nerve to point fingers at others while themselves feeling comfortable with the total humiliation and control of their women folk! I think Pakistanis, at least those who understand English, should read the latest report (released just three days back) by Human Rights Watch on the plight of minorities, including women and young girls who are frequently raped, abducted and sold to brothels with no voice to protest against their misery and glooy future..
@Truth Detector: ET is great. They always answer on my behalf
Here you go Truth Detector.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/593929/crime-suspect-arrested-for-raping-mentally-challenged-blind-woman/
Main Sadke Kurbaan Mera Sohna Pakistan !!!!!!!!!
PS: I have my own separate comments also and hope ET will publish it.
@Truth Detector: I just commented and let us see if Et publishes. It is all facts and I have quoted instances.
It is certainly a problem, and all the anger spread all over the media is for the larger good. The news is meant to hurt conscience, it will and every letch in India will bear the brunt of this fury from any citizen who comes across one. The disgust is univocal, no parallels drawn this time that 'the girl MIGHT be at fault' which had occurred from one or two persons during the Delhi GR outcry, but was responsibly shattered by the civil society at-iarge. This time, no such insane statements from any yet. Its a good sign, as an Indian I take responsibility and shall try to break chauvinism, disrespect & violence towards women, I shall DO something about it. BTW, you guys know of one Mukhtara Mai ?? Just a thought, no offense meant. ET, plz publish..
What a shame that instead of commenting on the actual topic people are attempting to turn this into a competition. Sick. What a tragedy no matter WHAT side of the border it happened on. And frankly, neither country has any room to boast about women's rights or women's safety; their records are abysmal and speak for themselves. At least there is an outcry in India; I'd love to see fellow Pakistani's take to the streets the next time a woman is gang raped or beaten as happens each and everyday on both sides of the border. Thoughts are with this young woman and her family. Hope she recovers quickly.
In India rape is used as an institutionalized weapon to subdue the lower caste and the oppressed. It is used by higher caste men to punish and keep in check the poor villagers of lower caste every day. The police uses rape to get confessions out of accused and the army uses it as a psychological weapon on separatists in Chattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Kashmir and Manipur quiet freely, without any repercussions from the authorities. The reason we did not hear about rapes in India earlier is that they were not reported by the press or by the families of the victims. They always happened in India on a very large scale. A few months ago middle class girl, representing the new shining India is raped and killed and the masses are finally and rightfully waking up. The same people who sleep every night peacefully when villages are burnt and women are raped and killed by police and the army. The rape culture has been tolerated for so long in India, and now the people are reaping what they sowed.
Calling on all Indian commentators @RAJ USA @Vasan etc to comment who never cease to give lectures to Pakistanis on how women should be treated.
i am proud that anger is being shown.... but we need to spread this anger in vilages too .... where max number of un reported rapes occur.... and as far as pakistanis commenting here are concerned...guys plz.. we all know pathetic state of women in pakistan....musharraf tried to stop mukhta from complaining to save pak's "image"....explains a lot about islamic socities....plz dont lecture us... ET no offence ...plz publish... Thank you
rape happens even in pakistan http://tribune.com.pk/story/593929/crime-suspect-arrested-for-raping-mentally-challenged-blind-woman/........................
India has the world's second largest number of rape cases reported per annum. And this report is of 2010, might have gone up to the top spot after that. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/quick-click/which-country-has-the-highest-reported-incidents-rape-data
And this report was on CNN just a couple of days ago: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/20/world/american-student-india-sexual-harassment-irpt/index.html
As an Indian I am ashamed of these almost daily occurences. I don't blame Indian culture, media etc rather it is the fault of Western pornography coupled with the fact that most Indian women are ugly. This means men are unsatisfied with their wives/girlfriends/mistress and go on a raping rampage.
India needs more attractive women to reduce these rape cases.
India has made economic progress but only for a small minority, as little as 10%. Socially India moves slower than a snail. Comparing India to Pakistan does not make India's rape culture palatable. The truth is that the plight of women in both India and Pakistan leaves much to be desired.
Dear Indians and Pakistanis
Today a brutal thing has happened to a woman...This could have happened in India,Pakistan or USA...That woman might be our sister,daughter or relative....Its now time we are united and make sure the culprits get proper punishment for it
What I'm seeing here is people using such an incident to throw mud at each other....Where is the humanity gone??? Would you people comment if the victim was ur relative or friend???
I dont care which country leads in the race of rapes...But we should make sure that our countries are safe for women and any crime against women must be dealt with iron fists
@lol: @Human: What's so lol about this news. The culprits are Bangladeshi immigrants pushed into India in 1971. And by the way don't forget the genocide and rape of 1971. There's nothing funny about rape. The poor journalist ventured into a filthy place and see the outcome. I am sure you are not a billionaire either. And what if any woman in your family needs to go out to work at odd hours?
This is the habit of Indians to raise Pakistan in every topic as you are seeing some Indians fellow started bickering against Pakistan.
@indi: mind it bro....go and search the net...you will find that the evils you associated with pakistan are also in abundance in india also.
@pakistanis please dont treat this matter as a source of glee. Such deeds are a menace to the civilzed society and must be condemned in its true perspective.
@Human:
Care to comment on
http://tribune.com.pk/story/593929/crime-suspect-arrested-for-raping-mentally-challenged-blind-woman/
Land of the Pure?
@Lol Women are not safe in Pakistan either. We have the same percentage (maybe even more) of sexual assault (specifically rape of women and children) Stories like these are always hidden by media or majority times by the family of the victim to avoid "embarrassment" in our "pure & precious" "conservative" nation!
@human @lol its weird way of feeling positive abt your country by looking at negatives of other country,,no wonder this is a problem in india and this is for good that is getting due media attention here,,but u know what it is still better then not be reported as in your country and in rural parts of our country...
Corruption is bringing Goonda Raj in India.. How shameless are we to elect some criminals!, Goondas are destroying India with the help of these impotent criminal politicians.
@repeated: The report is, apparently, quite cold and does not contain the latest news that four suspects have been arrested; four of them are Muslims, according to the Mumbai police.
@lol:
Of course Pakistan is safer for women. Imagine something similar in happened in pakistan and everyone questioning her: Why was she out with a non-mehram at 8'o clock in the night? Had she covered her head like a pious woman? Her ankle might be visible leading to soiling the imaan of otherwise pious men.
In other news, I heard that women in Pakistan was barred from voting!
World is seeing a heavy decline in women travelors to India, CNN. Somehow such news rarely discourage Indians from selfpraise. It's actually very very common there.
pakistan has been pointed out to be crazy about online porn and indians left no opportunity to jeer at us! now, how would indian men describe themselves?? what leads to such male behaviour? what are they watching and what are they deprived of? and would 'fox news' do a story about these recurring incidents?
@ HUman-India… the rape capital of the world… Shining India…
In another news there was a comment stating ---Pakistan...the terrorist haven of the world---"PAK"istan.
How similar is the thinking of these two people.
Welcome to the world's rape capital.
Let's not stoop down to the level of some Indian commentators on these forums and start senseless India bashing and Pak-Indian comparisons. This is a heinous crime, and one can only hope that the culprits are caught and that India's human rights issues are sorted.
Indian govt should try to investigate reasons behind this mindset, in huge population, more crimes are bound to occur, but govt. needs to identify reasons behind such mindset.
Oh Lord, please give India brains enough to respect their women, and mind their own business until they have resolved all their problems. Ameen.
@LOL
Sick one. In Pakistan, we do not report these incidence. Unfortunately it is rampant and sanctioned by panchyat and jirgas as punishment or settlement of scores.
@Human: Don't be so sure. We might just not have the exposure heinous crimes like these get in india. Pray that all women, including the ones in our country, stay safe and protected from these barbaric people who consider women slaves to their will.
"This is not news. This is common in India."
Some fail immature fellow has decided to use my name this time after abusing gp65, Water Bottle, Babloo in the past. Good job Pakistani. Never argue with facts, just impersonate others and hate India religiously.
@Human: "India… the rape capital of the world… Shining India…" Yup, keep on saying the same line again & again. You Pakis are good just for that. Meanwhile there are around 40 rape articles in ET from within Pakistan in just this month. Never grow up. When one day Indians will have a much better society few years from now, Pakistanis will be blowing each other over silly things. (Oh wait, they already are...) I will soon see the usual people like Rabbani & LaLa Gee commenting the same thing as you, as if its their religious duty.
Its high time that Bollywood should stop projecting women as "items" and do away with item songs.
@repeated: Tragic, but I'm not really surprised because it happened in India.
while even in safest of safe cities around the world rape happens.... unlike pakistan rapists ae caught and brought to justice...... honour killings and rape and acid attack are rampant in pakistan without check.... ET my advice.... look into the attrocities of woman in pakistan...
So called pro-westerns minded scholars and pundits of bollywood are promoting violence through screen, print and electronic media. Poor people and young generation get impressed from the violent actions and adopt shortcuts for improving the life style and ill satisfactions. Robberies, fraud, sexual harassment against female employees and raping young girls have become the common features of degrading Indian society.
There was also a CNN report on how an American student led a very difficult time in India as a student and had to leave.
This is not news. This is common in India.
Pakistan is a safer place for women despite being a conservative society! the number of rapes that India has witnessed in last couple of months is just astounding!
India... the rape capital of the world... Shining India...
The woman is undergoing treatment at a city hospital and has identified two of the accused by their first names, which she heard them calling each other, police said.
“Nobody has been arrested so far,” a head constable at the police station dealing with the case told Reuters.
The woman is undergoing treatment at a city hospital and has identified two of the accused by their first names, which she heard them calling each other, police said.