Mumbai:
Two young Mumbaikars, who were present when Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez were attacked while trying to protect their friends from eve-teasers, say they have identified the four people whose beatings killed the young men.
"We saw no remorse or guilt in the accused," said Priyanka Fernandes, who was Keenan's girlfriend. Avinash Bali, who was another eyewitness, was with her today.
Keenan was 24; Reuben was 29.
On the night of October 20, they had dinner with a group of friends at an Andheri restaurant. When they stepped out, four men began harassing the girls with them, including Priyanka. Keenan and Reuben got into an argument with them. They disappeared and returned with a large group of supporters. Keenan and Reuben were then stabbed. Keenan died that night ; Reuben passed away in hospital a few days later.
Seventeen men have been arrested so far, including four who are booked for charges of murder and eve teasing. They were part of an identification parade at a Mumbai jail this morning.
The deaths of Keenan and Reuben shocked India partly because witnesses like Priyanka have pointed out that bystanders did not try to help them.