By IANS,
New Delhi : Home secretary R.K. Singh said Friday “maximum penalty” will be sought for the six men who allegedly gangraped a 23-year-old physiotherapist here and and that various other security measures – including providing securitymen in buses on routes frequented by women – will be taken to instil confidence among women.
“Buses plying on the routes frequented by women travellers will have security personnel in plain clothes to check any crime or eveteasing,” R.K. Singh, who was flanked by Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, said.
He also praised the Delhi Police for cracking the case of the 23-year-old physiotherapist by catching the five of the six men. One accused is still at large.
“After the chargesheet, trial will begin and we will ask for maximum penalty that is life imprisonment,” he said.
Talking about measures to stop such heinous crime from taking place again in the future, R.K. Singh said that the police will from now on verify the drivers and cleaners of every bus, taxi and auto plying on Delhi roads and misbehavior on their part will lead to prompt action.
“Any act of gundagardi (hooliganism) or dadagiri (bullying) will be dealt swiftly,” he said.
On Friday, the police detained a fifth person in connection with the gang rape. Four people, including the bus driver, have already been arrested.
“This was a blind case as the details given by the person accompanying the lady were sketchy. Based on video footage obtained from a hotel, we were able to crack down on the bus. A fifth accused has been arrested and the police will soon arrest the sixth accused,” R.K. Singh said.
Meanwhile, anti-rape protests swept across the Indian capital and various cities as people from various walks of life demanded action against the culprits and harsher punishment.