Mumbai gangrape: 1 arrested, rest identified

MUMBAI: The gang-rape of a 23-year-old photojournalist in Mumbai triggered a nationwide outrage as the opposition parties took up the issue in Parliament and organisations such as the Shiv Sena and MNS took out rallies against the state government in the city.

While Mumbai police commissioner said one of the accused had been arrested and others had been identified, opposition parties in Maharashtra demanded the resignation of state home minister RR Patil.

“After a prolonged search operation that went on through the night, Mumbai police has arrested one man. He has confessed and has also helped identify four others. All the accused are expected to be arrested soon. The photo-journalist’s detailed statement to the police and that of a male colleague who was with her, helped identify the accused within hours,” Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.

The incident generated massive outrage on social media. Activists and journalists gathered at Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai in a silent protest.

The issue was raised by BJP in Parliament. BJP’s Smriti Irani criticised the Maharashtra government’s handling of law and order in the state and demanded the home minister’s resignation.

The opposition in the state, Shiv Sena, took out a rally at NM Joshi Marg police station where the case was registered. MNS demanded the resignation of home minister RR Patil.

“The home minister has no right to stay in power. The state of Maharashtra has seen tremendous deterioration in law and order,” said MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Patil said: “We know their names and have their photos. Some of them have committed crimes previously. One person who was arrested has confessed and given details of all others.”