Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) : Mumbai Police today released sketches of five accused in the shocking gangrape case of a 23-year-old photojournalist here and picked up about 20 people for questioning besides fanning out teams across the city to track the culprits.
A day after the photojournalist, who was working as an intern with an English magazine was gangraped allegedly by five men, a special squad has been formed by the local police as well as by the Crime Branch to probe the case.
"We have taken the case very seriously and are working on it on a war-footing. We have activated all our informers and at the same time released sketches of the five accused. We hope to catch the accused soon," said a police official.
The sketches have been prepared on the basis of the description provided by the victim's male colleague, who was tied up by the accused before they sexually assaulted the woman.
The woman was allegedly gangraped by five men at around 8 PM yesterday near Shakti Mills in Lower Parel area of the metropolis.
The victim was on an assignment, doing a story on 'chawl' when the offence took place, police said.
In a chilling reminder of the December gangrape in Delhi, the men tied up the victim's friend and raped the woman.
The accused were apparently in 24 to 30 years age group.
Police are likely to parade about 20 suspects, who have been picked up in connection with the case, before the male colleague of the victim for identification, sources said.
Earlier, police said they have picked up about 20 people for questioning but obtained no leads in the case so far.
In a statement given to police, the girl said the five goons were present in the Shakti Mills compound. They started making lewd remarks and harassed her. When her friend intervened, two of them assaulted him. Three others took her inside the dilapidated structure and raped her.
The victim has been admitted to Jaslok Hospital. Preliminary reports suggested that she sustained multiple internal injuries, they said.
Dr Taran Gyanchandani, acting CEO of the hospital, said, "We are doing the needful...she is under strict observation."
A gangrape case has been registered in N M Joshi Marg police station.
The statement of the victim's friend has been recorded, police said.
They claimed the victim has identified two of the accused by their names. She told police that two of them were calling each other as Rupesh and Sajid, they said, adding that some drug addicts have been picked up from the area for questioning.
Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil had visited the victim at Jaslok hospital.
"This is a very serious matter. We have taken note of it. The accused will be arrested soon," Patil told reporters outside the hospital.
He said Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh has been directed to ensure that the culprits are arrested soon.
Jaslok Hospital, where the victim is admitted, said in a statement that "The patient is with us after the unfortunate incident since last night. As of now, she is stable and Jaslok Hospital is doing its best."
"With regards to patient confidentiality, we cannot give you any further information," Dr
Tarang Gianchandani, acting CEO and director - medical services, Jaslok Hospital, said.
Meanwhile, all journalist organisations in Mumbai have decided to hold a silent protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra state and the city, a Mumbai Press Club statement said here.
The journalist organisations will also meet state Home Minister R R Patil and Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to press for early action in the case, the statement said.