4-year-old victim from M.P. still critical

The four-year-old rape victim from Madhya Pradesh, who is being treated in a hospital here, still remains critical and shows no sign of improvement.

“There are no efforts at breathing and she continues to be on ventilator. Her blood pressure was very low this [Monday] morning but has been brought under control through medication,” said Ashok Kant of Care Hospital.

The child, who was raped at Ghansur town in Sioni district, was airlifted here on Saturday night, four days after the incident, when her condition deteriorated. Dr. Kant said she ought to have been brought here earlier.

Police searching for accused

Home Minister Umashankar Gupta met the victim and her family members here. He said eight teams had been deputed to arrest Firoj Khan, and a prize money was been announced for anyone providing information about the accused, who is suspected to be hiding in Bihar.

On allegations made by some Congress leaders about the deteriorating law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Gupta said, “Incidents are happening everywhere, but our police department is taking swift action and almost all culprits are in police custody. There have been cases in which we even succeeded in getting the death penalty for the culprits.”

‘Save daughter, catch culprit’

The four-year-old’s father said, “My daughter was shifted here from Jabalpur but there seems to be no relief for her. She is more critical now. I want my daughter to be saved and the culprit should be caught within two days.”