Delhi gangrape: Woman ‘fearless’ in recording statement, recalls her torture

The 23-year-old paramedic student recorded her statement with a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) late on Friday, recalling sequence of events between 9.15 pm and 10.20 pm on December 16 when she was gangraped by six men in a moving chartered bus.

SDM Usha Chaturvedi visited the woman in the Safdarjung hospital ICU and spent two hours with her. During the period, the victim tried to "talk a bit" and "scribbled parts of her statement".

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chhaya Sharma said: "She has given a fearless and bold statement. It corroborates with what her friend has told us."

The doctors said the woman was "calm and composed, and willing to give her statement to the investigators of the case", therefore, they allowed the SDM to record her statement. Sources said during the process no one was allowed inside the ICU, other than SDM Chaturvedi.

It is learnt that the woman corroborated details provided by her friend, a 28-year-old engineer, who was also assaulted by the men. Sources said most questions were based on the engineer's statement and needed to be answered with a 'yes' or 'no'.

The victim reportedly told the magistrate that a scuffle started between her friend and the other men on the bus and she intervened. She said the attackers tried to throw her friend off the bus, but he put up a strong resistance.

Sources said the woman told the SDM that the men hit her friend on the head with a rod and he fell unconscious. One of the attackers (identified by police as Akshay Thakur) hit her and dragged her to the rear of the bus, she is learnt to have told the magistrate.

The victim's statement, a copy of which has been given to the Delhi Police, will be produced in court.

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