Don't let me die and don't let them escape

New Delhi: This might well be the last words of the 23-year-old Unnao rape victim to her brother who is in a critical condition, battling for life at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Her brother was present when she was flown in from Lucknow to Delhi for further treatment. Crying profusely, she hugged him tight and barely whispered in his ears: "Don't let me die and don't let them escape."

On Thursday, she was set ablaze by five men, including the accused who were involved in allegedly raping her in Unnao. The victim's brother was present at the hospital and taking regular updates from the doctors. "When she was admitted to Safdarjung, she hugged me tightly. She asked me if all the accused were arrested and I told her that they have been caught," he told Millennium Post.

He added: "On Thursday morning, my sister informed me that she was going to the court in Rae Bareli. Later, I got information about the incident." The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in Unnao and was later referred to a Lucknow hospital with 90 per cent burn injuries. He further stated that her face has been destroyed completely. "My sister is very courageous. I know she is not well right now but I hope that one day she will stand up again," he said.

Revealing more about his sister, he said: "She has completed her graduation and had also filled some forms related to recruitment in the police force." He, however, did not comment on the rape case. "I am living in Gujarat since 2003 and I have no updates on the rape case," he said, adding that the accused, who were involved in the crime, must be hanged.

The victim had told police in Unnao: "At 4 am, I was going to a local railway station to catch a train to Rae Bareli. Five people (whom she named) were waiting for me. They surrounded me and first hit me on the leg with a stick and also stabbed me in the neck with a knife. After that, they poured petrol on me and set me on fire."

On Friday morning, the media along with several people had gathered near the burn ward of the hospital to get updates on the victim's health. Police from UP and Delhi along with security guards were at the entrance gate to make sure no unwanted person went inside. The rape victim is currently on life-support and continues to be critical.