Indian gang rape victim dies in hospital

Updated 10:10 PM ET

SINGAPORE An Indian woman who was gang-raped and beaten on a bus in New Delhi died Saturday at a Singapore hospital, after her ordeal galvanized Indians to demand greater protection for women from sexual violence that impacts thousands of them every day.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was aware of the emotions the attack has stirred and that it was up to all Indians to ensure that the young woman's death will not have been in vain.

The victim "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian Embassy by her side, Dr. Kevin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth hospital, said in a statement.

After 10 days at a hospital in New Delhi, the Indian capital, the woman was brought Thursday to Mount Elizabeth hospital, which specializes in multi-organ transplants. Loh said the woman had been in extremely critical condition since Thursday, and by late Friday her condition had taken a turn for the worse, with her vital signs deteriorating.

"Despite all efforts by a team of eight specialists in Mount Elizabeth Hospital to keep her stable, her condition continued to deteriorate over these two days," Loh said. "She had suffered from severe organ failure following serious injuries to her body and brain. She was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome."

The woman and a male friend, who have not been identified, were traveling on a bus in New Delhi after watching a film on the evening of Dec. 16 when they were attacked by six men who raped her. The men also beat the couple and inserted an iron rod into the woman's body, resulting in severe organ damage. Both were then stripped and thrown off the bus, according to police.

Indian police have arrested six people in connection with the attack, which left the victim with severe internal injuries, a lung infection and brain damage. She also suffered from a heart attack while in the hospital in India.

Indian High Commissioner, or ambassador, T.C.A. Raghavan told reporters that the scale of the injuries the woman suffered was "very grave" and in the end "proved too much."

He said arrangements were being made to take her body back to India.

The frightening nature of the crime shocked Indians, who have come out in the thousands for almost daily demonstrations. Indian television channels said security had been tightened in New Delhi on Saturday in anticipation of more protests following the woman's death.

The protesters are demanding stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape, which is now punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment. Women face daily harassment across India, ranging from catcalls on the streets, groping and touching in public transport to rape.

Singh said he understands the angry reaction to the attack and hopes all Indians will work together to make appropriate changes.

"These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change," the prime minister said in a statement Saturday. "It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channel these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action."

He said the government was examining the penalties for crimes such as rape "to enhance the safety and security of women."

"I hope that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agendas to help us all reach the end that we all desire — making India a demonstrably better and safer place for women to live in," Singh said.

Mamta Sharma, head of the state-run National Commission for Women, said the "time has come for strict laws" to stop violence against women. "The society has to change its mindset to end crimes against women," she said.

The tragedy has forced India to confront the reality that sexually assaulted women are often blamed for the crime, which forces them to keep quiet and not report it to authorities for fear of exposing their families to ridicule. Also, police often refuse to accept complaints from those who are courageous enough to report the rapes, and the rare prosecutions that reach courts drag on for years.

Indian attitudes toward rape are so entrenched that even politicians and opinion makers have often suggested that women should not go out at night or wear clothes that might be seen provocative.

On Friday, Abhijit Mukherjee, a national lawmaker and the son of India's president, apologized for calling the protesters "highly dented and painted" women who go from discos to demonstrations.

"I tender my unconditional apology to all the people whose sentiments got hurt," he told NDTV news.

Several Indian celebrities reacted with sadness Saturday over the woman's death. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "Her body has passed away, but her soul shall forever stir our hearts."

Separately, authorities in Punjab state took action Thursday when an 18-year-old woman killed herself by drinking poison a month after she told police she was gang-raped.

State authorities suspended one police officer and fired two others on accusations they delayed investigating and taking action in the case. The three accused in the rape were only arrested Thursday night, a month after the crime was reported.

"This is a very sensitive crime, I have taken it very seriously," said Paramjit Singh Gill, a top police officer in the city of Patiala.

The Press Trust of India reported that the woman was raped Nov. 13 and reported the attack to police Nov. 27. But police harassed the girl, asked her embarrassing questions and took no action against the accused, PTI reported, citing police sources.

Authorities in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh also suspended a police officer on accusations he refused to register a rape complaint from a woman who said she had been attacked by a driver.

[libbieclu]

What's the matter with these people! So much for the next rising consuming country. No infra structure, no regard for the individual. This illustrates how women are still viewed as chattel. Shame!

[Jonseen]

This crime was so violent and vile, with no regard for human life at all, that I think they should have been charged with attempted murder even if she hadn't died.

[ringes70]

They should hang the suspects by the their balls until they bleed to death. Thats fair punishment.

[talita-koomi]

Let's hope that this woman's death leads to real change in Indian law and justice. I just hope that the people of India keep up the pressure on their government and don't fade away in a week or two. If enough people yell and stamp their feet for a long enough time- they WILL listen and respond! DON'T GIVE UP!!!

[Reality-is-Good]

CTV to create safety zones for women with signs warning males they are being watched and will be prosecuted.

[IsabellaTaliaferro]

Bravo to all the brave women and MEN protesting and willing to brave the streets and police.
All evil needs is good people to stand by and do nothing.

[shehzad_shah12]

If Government can send the victim to Singapore for better treatment,
I strongly suggest they should send the accused to Saudi Arabia for better justice !!

[Jacksdad619]

Justice for the victim of rape in Saudi Arabia? Are you kidding me? They may be able to deliver punishment fitting this particular crime, but their record of upholding women's rights is about as abysmal as India's. Sharia law blames the woman for any sex outside of marriage, rape included. Don't believe me? Check this out http://trueslant.com/nealungerleider/2010/01/21/saudi-arabia-to-lash-filipino-rape-victim-100-times/

[Betty-McC]

They are not needing stiffer sentences what they do need is to learn women are not pieces of meat. Even the cops act if it's ok for this to happen, but why would they not act this way when even members of the government thinks this way. This lady was not traveling a loan she had a male friend with her witch in some country's is a must for women. It's sad that it this way any where.

[Margaret-Cone]

In the USA many rape victims pay for their rape kit. Very few rape kits ever get investigated. Many rape victims in the USA are **** shamed for being raped. Our politicians tell us rape is just another form of insemination. A women cannot concieve during a rape her body shuts down. Rape in the US is an under reported crime. A 12 year old was gang raped in the US and she was blamed by many for wearing make-up and dressing ****.

Rape is an International problem.

[ChopRgirl32]

My condolences go out to the family of this young woman and to those that cared for her.

Now, putting my 2 cents in on this matter. Makes you wonder if this would have transpired in another country by another race to this young lady if the leaders of India would still be dragging their feet on what to do. These so called leaders of India seem to forget that if it weren't for women they wouldn't be here or maybe it's the fact that most of the men there seem to think that they are so above women. If they consider themselves so great, why is India so behind in civilization?

Let me just end with this thought, for those that raped that young lady, it truly shows that you are REAL men. It took all of you to break one woman.

[ksingh322]

Actually this does go on in other countries to other races many times. We can't make this a racial issue or a color issue. It is a woman issue. If you start making this a color issue then it will take away from the real issue at hand which is violence against women. which occurs all over the world, no matter what color a woman is, or what religion she is. If a man decides he wants to overpower a woman he can and will. Domestic violence went ignored here in the US for many years. White women were beaten, raped, killed by husbands and boyfriends with little done about it. We Indian women must stand up and fight for our rights and not be ashamed to do so. We should learn from other women of other cultures who have overcame suppression, not envy them and say it is because of their color solely. This is not a color issue.

[InvisibleZombie]

And unfortunately, even here in the U.S. we still have a ways to go ourselves in understanding and punishing the violence of a crime like this.

[IANG30]

First of all my heart goes out to the family and friends of the lady. Now how can people in this world be so evil puzzles me!It would be an honor for me to stick my AR15 rifle up all the six men A** one at a time and squeeze the trigger,thats my two cents.