The survivor in the Shakti Mills gang rape incident fainted in court during trial on Thursday. Principal judge Shalini Phansalkar Joshi called in medical help and adjourned the hearing for Friday.
Special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam told the press that the victim, a 22-year-old photojournalist, stuck to her statement. Mr. Nikam described her as “confident, articulate and narrative” but added that she was “tense” during the deposition and at times requested for small breaks during the in camera proceedings. The victim will continue her deposition on Friday.
On August 22, the victim and her male colleague had visited the ruined mills as a part of their assignment. Finding them alone, the accused initially offered to help them navigate the mill compound but later threatened to book them for trespass. The accused then tied the male friend with his belt and raped her. During the ghastly incident the girl received calls from her mother and her boss. Both mother and boss have deposed before the court and have stuck to their statements.
Meanwhile, the police filed draft charges in the second rape case reported by them in the Shakti Mills compound. Three of the accused — Qasim Bengali, Vijay Jadhav and Salim Ansari were involved in both cases.
