Mumbai photojournalist gang-raped on assignment

A 22-year-old photojournalist has been
gang-raped by five men in the Indian
city of Mumbai, police say.
The woman, who was on assignment on
Thursday evening in the Lower Parel
area when she was attacked, is in
hospital with multiple injuries.
She was accompanied by a male
colleague who was beaten by her
attackers. Police have arrested one of the
suspects.
In a similar case last December, a 23-
year-old student was gang-raped on a
bus in the capital, Delhi.
In that case, the woman and her male
friend were brutally assaulted and she
later died in hospital from her injuries.
The attack sparked nationwide protests
and forced the authorities to introduce
tougher laws for crimes against women.
'Reprehensible'
The victim of Thursday's attack worked
as an intern with a Mumbai-based
English magazine and had gone to the
Shakti Mills - a former textile mill that
now lies abandoned and in ruins - for a
photo shoot, police said.
She has been admitted to Jaslok hospital
in Mumbai, which said that she was
stable and able to speak.
Police have released sketches of the five
men they are seeking
"She went through a minor investigation
procedure today [Friday] morning. She
had both internal and external injuries,"
the statement said.
Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal
Singh said the incident took place
between "6pm and 6:30pm on Thursday"
and described it as "reprehensible".
"The man [victim's male colleague] was
clicking pictures on a camera while the
girl was taking pictures on her mobile
phone in the dilapidated building when
one accused accosted them and inquired
why they were there at the railway
property," he said.
"He later called four more men to the
spot. They tied the male colleague's
hands with a belt and took the girl to the
bushes and raped her."
Mr Singh said nearly 20 teams had been
formed to investigate the case and that
all the accused had been identified.
Earlier, police said 35 people had been
detained and were being questioned.
Sketches of the five accused were also
released.
'Deeply disturbing'
The attack has led to outrage in India
with many taking to social media to
express their anger.
The abandoned textile mill in Mumbai's
Lower Parel area where the
photojournalist was raped
The woman was dragged into the bushes
where she was assaulted, police said
Police said nearly 20 teams had been
formed to investigate the case
Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal
Singh described the incident as
"reprehensible"
The woman has been admitted to
Mumbai's Jaslok hospital where she is
being treated for multiple injuries
"Sick and deeply disturbing," tweeted
musician Shekhar Ravjiani. "My heart
goes out to the victim and I hope and
pray that God gives her the strength to
make it through this ordeal."
Nirmala Sitharaman of India's main
opposition Bharatiya Janata Party wrote:
"Despicable! We are shamed! How long
and God forbid, how many more before
the criminals are punished? Wake up,
India!"
"Sad validation of the fact that NO city in
India is safe for women. It is after all the
same prevention/enforcement
mechanism in use all over," tweeted
actress Gul Panag.
"Helpless to say the least... words like
"devastated", disgusted" mean nothing
at a time like this!!!! #gangrape in my
city... I feel ashamed," director Karan
Johar wrote.
"Mumbai's women should come out for
a Delhi-like response. 'Work to do' is no
excuse," tweeted senior journalist Bachi
Karkaria.
Women's safety has been the focus of
attention in India since the fatal Delhi
gang rape.
Six people, including a juvenile suspect,
were arrested for the crime.
One of the men was found dead in his
prison cell in March. The other five are
on trial and verdicts are due over the
next few weeks.