The six accused in the gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi two weeks ago were charged with murder. It is known that the accused were arrested long back. Since the girl succumbed to injuries this morning at a super specialty hospital in Singapore, murder cases have been booked against them. The girl, a final year student of Physiotheraphy, was returning along with a male friend after watching a movie. She and her friend boarded a private chartered bus at around 9 pm on which six accused were aboard. This is all what happened from December 16 to till date.

December 16:

• The girl and her boy friend boarded the private bus at 9 pm in Munirka area to reach Dwaraka

• The accused in the bus started teasing the girl

• The male friend of the young woman interrupted

• His friend was beaten up badly and held in the driver's cabin

• Half-a-dozen people assaulted the woman

• The woman passed out (fainted)

• Six accused reportedly took turns one after the other as bus moved in posh areas of Delhi

• A rod was reportedly inserted into the girl's body

• Both the girl and boy were thrown out of bus naked

• Pedestrian informed Gurgaon police and then Delhi police after which police reached the spot and shifted the victims to Safdarjung hospital

December 17:

Four accused in the assault of the woman and her boy friend were identified and arrested while the girl underwent treatment at the hospital.

December 18:

Outcry in the country touched the peak with students and others coming to roads and protesting the heinous crime. The incident event led to hot debate in the parliament as leader of the opposition, Sushma Swaraj demanded death penalty to the accused.

December 19,20, 21,22:

Protests continue at various parts of the national capital territory and other parts of the country. Male victim in the assault identified yet another accused, Mukhesh at Tihar jail in an identification parade. Final accused was busted in Haryana.

December 25:

Victim gives a statement (written) to Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate. Constable, who injured in the clashes dies. Health of the victim deteriorates further the same night.

December 26:

The condition of victim further turned critical. She was immediately air lifted to Singapore in an air ambulance along with her family members. A team of specialized doctors at Mount Elizabeth Hospital started treating the victim.

December 28:

The doctors in Singapore treating the victim have said that infection had spread to lungs and her brain also damaged. They said the victim's condition was extremely critical.

December 29:

India woke up to a sad news. The brave girl who fought all odds finally resigned from the life without her wish. In the wee hours of Saturday, yet another sister of India closed her eyes to rest in peace. May her soul rest in peace.

Whenever elections come, leaders promise so many things, television, free rice, free electricity but how many leaders are promising the welfare of women, the safety to young Indians? As long as we associate women with money and pleasure, such incidents might keep hitting headlines questioning our ethics and morals. We should all change first, don't you think so? It is we who should first take an oath that 'we are going to respect women.' And when we take such oats, no sister will witness any crime-right from rape to dowry death.

Rest in peace the brave sister of India!

(AW Phani)