Suspects arrested in Catholic nun gang rape

Mohammad Salim Shaikh was detained by police on Thursday in connection with the rape of an elderly nun in India. (Photo: Reuters)

Police in India arrested two suspects on Thursday in the case of a Catholic nun brutally gang raped two weeks ago.

Video captured during the crime indicate others were involved in the robbery and sexual assault, and police are continuing their nationwide investigation.

The attack occurred near Ranaghat when several men broke into the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in West Bengal state and ransacked the place. A 71-year-old nun was gang raped and required surgery, according to The Times of India.

Mohammad Salim Shaikh, 30, was captured in Mumbai, and is accused of participating in the attack. Religious items were broken and cash stolen during the crime.

"At least two of [the men] were armed and the rest were carrying burglary tools," police superintendent Arnab Ghosh told reporters. "In the chapel, a holy scripture was found torn and a bust of Jesus was broken."

The assault follows several attacks on churches in the country, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been criticised for what some feel is a soft stance against religious violence. The police have also been criticised for inefficiencies in solving cases of sexual assault, and the gang rape was referred to India's Central Bureau of Investigation after local law enforcement initially failed to make an arrest.

Prayer rallies and demonstrations have been held across India following the assault, and local business association spokesman Samiran Paul said the organisation stands in solidarity with the nun.

"We have called for the shutdown of businesses and shops in this town to support the nun... and the immediate arrest of the culprits," he told AFP. "We can't imagine such inhuman torture on an elderly nun who devoted her life to the service of humanity. It's a shame to us."

Government schools were also closed following the attack.

The Crime Investigation Department offered a reward of Rs one lakh (£1,100, $1,600) for information on the attack.

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