The body of the Delhi gang rape victim, who died at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore this morning, is being flown back to India by a special chartered flight today. Indian High Commissioner to Singapore T C A Raghavan told reporters that the family of the girl including her parents will accompany the body. Addressing a press conference, he said the formalities, including getting a death certificate, for sending her body were being completed.
A statement by the well-known multi-organ transplant facility hospital said the 23-year-old victim died at 2:15 A M Indian Standrd Time early this morning. The patient's family and officials of the Indian High Commission in Singapore were by her side at the time of her death.
The girl who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a Delhi bus on the 16th of this month was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore on Thursday in an extremely critical condition after undergoing three operations in Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The Singapore hospital chief executive officer Dr Kelvin Loh said in a statement that the patient's condition took a turn for the worse last night. Her vital signs started deteriorating with severe organ failure despite doctors fighting for her life, including putting her on maximum artificial ventilation support, optimal antibiotic doses as well as stimulants which maximise body's capability to fight infections.
Indian High Commissioner in Singapore T.C.A. Raghavan told reporters that the parents of the girl have requested to make arrangements for sending her body to India. He said the final few hours was a trying time for the girl's family and they bore the entire process with a great deal of fortitude and courage. Raghavan said the family has requested that their privacy be respected in their hour of grief. He said the best possible treatment was given to the victim, who wanted to live.
The incident has triggered public protests in India that left one policeman dead in Delhi. The Delhi Police has said it will invoke murder charges against accused in the case.
Security in the national capital has been stepped up with police closing India Gate and Raisina Hill for the public. A large number of police personnel have been deployed at Rajpath and the stretch connecting India Gate and Raisina Hill where largescale protests were witnessed last weekend. A senior police official said the entire central Vista including Rajpath, Vijay Chowk and all roads leading to India Gate will be closed for general traffic.
Ten Metro stations in Central Delhi have been closed down till further orders, as a precautionary measure. These are Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course, Jor Bagh and Khan Market.However, inter-change facility will be available at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat stations.
The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and hosts of leaders have condoled the death of the rape victim.
President Pranab Mukherjee, in his message said, she is a true hero and symbolises the best in Indian youth and women. He said, the nation will mourn the passing of this brave daughter of India. At the same time, let us resolve that this death will not be in vain. The President said, we will do everything possible to ensure that such an incident never happens again.
Vice President Md. Hamid Ansari said that a young and promising life has been brutally snatched away in most tragic circumstances. He said, not only her family has lost a daughter and a sister but every Indian is feeling the sense of loss.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he was deeply saddened to learn about the death of the unfortunate victim of the brutal assault. He said he joins the nation in conveying to her family and friends his deepest condolences at this terrible loss. Dr. Singh said the nation has already seen the emotions and energies this incident has generated. These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change. He said it would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channelize these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action.The Prime Minister said the need of the hour is a dispassionate debate and inquiry into the critical changes that are required in societal attitudes. Government is examining, on priority basis, the penal provisions that exist for such crimes and measures to enhance the safety and security of women. He hoped that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to help in reaching the end that we all desire which is making India a demonstrably better and safer place for women to live in.
Condoling the death of the gang-rape victim, Home Minister Sushil kumar Shinde pledged to strengthen laws to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. He said that the real tribute to the victim will be to ensure maximum punishment to the culprits.
Terming the gang-rape of the 23-year-old girl as a shameful incident for her as an administrator, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said one must ensure that such ghastly acts do not recur. She also appealed to people to maintain peace and calm against the backdrop of violent demonstrations last weekend over the gang-rape incident.
