The 23-year-old gang-rape victim, who is battling for life, got strength after meeting her male friend in Safdurjung Hospital, her friend's brother and police said on Saturday. "She is getting strength and moral support after meeting her friend. We asked her friend to meet her regularly which will help her recover soon," said deputy commissioner of police Chhaya Sharma.

"They met twice, Thursday and Friday," her brother said. Her friend was also attacked by the gang-rapists during the incident on December 16, told IANS.

"On Thursday, she had responded by writing. She wrote on a pad...are you fine, inquiring about the condition of her friend. To this, he verbally replied: 'I am ok'," he said.

"On Friday evening, she spoke to her friend in hospital. She verbally told him about her condition," he added.

According to hospital sources, she started asking about the condition of her friend the day she regained consciousness and started responding. Doctors assured her that he was okay.

The woman was with her friend when they boarded a luxury bus in south Delhi's Munirka Dec 16 night. Six men raped the woman and beat up the duo.