Even as the 14-year-old Jalandhar gangrape victim continues to battle for life in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the local Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, her family members have alleged that they are being pressed to strike a compromise.

The girl’s father, a labourer, told reporters that  one Puran, a resident of his village Mandhala Channa in Jalandhar district’s Shahkot sub-division, was resorting to pressure tactics. “My daughter is on her death bed. I want justice, not a compromise,” he said. 

Meanwhile, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) vice-chairman Raj Kumar Verka, who met the girl’s family in the hospital, said, “I am going to Jalandhar and will seek an action-taken report from the police. I will also ask the police to ensure that the family is not put under pressure.”

Verka said all persons booked in the case must be arrested at the earliest and the Punjab government should ensure best treatment.

The girl had undergone a surgery here on Thursday. Doctors had removed her uterus and repaired her intestines. Doctors confirmed that she would never be able to bear children.

Dr Tejbir Singh, medical superintendent, said, “The girl’s condition is still very critical. A team of doctors is keeping a close watch.”

“There was a lot of blood loss. We are giving her blood and have made arrangements for more, if required,” he added.

When asked whether the girl’s condition had deteriorated due to rape, Dr Tejbir Singh said, “I can comment only after getting a report from the medical team.”

Brutalised on January 28 by three male relatives after she was allegedly abducted from her house at Mandhala Channa village, the girl had been admitted to the civil hospital in Jalandhar on Wednesday after her health deteriorated. A case was registered by the Jalandhar (rural) police the same day against Charanjit Singh, Balwinder Singh and Sher Singh, none of whom has been arrested so far.

The police have conducted raids at various places in search of the accused who have been on the run for the last almost ten days.