ThisisBigBrother.com - UK TV Forums - India gang rape trial begins in fast-track Delhi court

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21115351

Quote:

The trial of five men over the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman has begun at a specially convened fast-track court in India's capital, Delhi.

If convicted, the men could face the death penalty. A sixth suspect, who is thought to be 17, is expected to be tried by a juvenile court.

The case has shocked India and sparked a debate about the treatment of women.

On Sunday, the victim's mother condemned public figures who implied her daughter had brought it on herself.

In an interview with the BBC, she said those who criticised Indian women for adopting Western dress and lifestyles were "sexist and irresponsible" and were in effect condoning rape.

The physiotherapy student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and a male friend were attacked on a bus in south Delhi on 16 December.

Police said the assailants beat both of them, and then raped the woman. She suffered massive internal injuries and died nearly two weeks later.

The start of the trial was delayed for more than an hour on Monday as defence lawyers argued that it should be open to the media. The judge rejected their request and said it should be held behind closed doors.

After receiving the charge sheet, the judge adjourned the trial until 24 January, when opening arguments will be heard.

The defendants have been named as Ram Singh and his brother Mukesh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur. The sixth suspect claims to be a juvenile and his case is being handled separately.

Lawyers for two of the suspects have said they will plead not guilty. It is unclear how the other three accused will plead.

Prosecutors say they have extensive forensic evidence linking all six men to the crime. It is supported by the suspects' mobile-phone records and the testimony of the dying woman and her friend, they add.

However, defence lawyers told the Reuters news agency that they were preparing to argue that the forensic evidence had been fabricated.

They also said the trial was unsafe because police had rushed the investigation into the crime as a result of the public outrage.

Two of the four defence lawyers had said their clients were beaten in custody and forced to make confessions which were suspiciously similar. Officials have declined to comment, citing legal restrictions.

The defence is also expected to argue that the men were denied legal aid for several weeks. The lawyer for Ram Singh, VK Anand, said he would ask to move the trial out of the capital because of the media attention.

:idc: