Five suspects arrested over photojournalist gang rape

All of the five men accused of carrying out a gang rape on a 22-year-old photo journalist in Mumbai on Thursday have now been arrested.

The woman, an intern with an English magazine based in Mumbai, was attacked whilst carrying out a photo assignment at an abandoned textile mill in the middle of the city. She was accompanied by a male colleague who was beaten during the assault.

The female victim is now in hospital after sustaining multiple injuries, but has spoken out to express that she is anxious to return to work. She said: “Rape is not the end of life. I want the strictest punishment for all the accused.”

Police reportedly vowed to act quickly, arresting a 19-year-old male from south Mumbai on Friday, making two further arrests on Saturday and arresting their final suspect in the capital, Delhi, on Sunday before bringing him back to Mumbai.

The case has sparked public outrage and renewed anger regarding the issue of sexual violence in India. It is sadly reminiscent of the gang rape of a 23-year-old student which occurred on a bus in Delhi last year and resulted in her death, leading to nationwide protests last December.

That incident resulted in the introduction of stronger laws against sexual violence, but recent events may leave many wondering how much of an impact these new laws have actually had.    

Molly Kersey