UK & World News
- 4 January 2013, 2:09
India Murder-Rape Suspects Could Face Death
Five men have been formally charged with the murder, kidnap and gang rape of a medical student in Delhi in India.
The 23-year-old - who has not been named - died at the weekend in a hospital in Singapore where she was being treated for major internal injuries.
If the five men are convicted of murder they could face the death penalty.
A sixth suspect is believed to be under the age of 18.
Investigators have ordered bone tests to establish his exact age, as juveniles cannot face murder charges.
The men are in custody at Delhi's Tihar prison.
According to the police the charge sheet is more than 1,000 pages long and it is expected when the trial gets under way that more than 30 witnesses will be called.
The document also contains a statement given by the victim to two different judges while she was being treated in hospital.
Investigators allege that members of the gang were drunk and joyriding in a bus when they picked up the woman and her male companion, who were on their way back from the cinema in South Delhi.
They then beat up the couple with an iron bar before gang-raping the woman.
It is claimed they then threw the pair from the moving bus and tried to run over the victim.
Delhi's Bar Association has stated none of its members will act for the men on "moral grounds", and the accused have no legal representation.
The rape has caused national outrage in India since it happened three weeks ago.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets on a daily basis to demand tougher penalties for rapists and fast track courts.
Rape and violence against women is all too common crime in India with the latest figures suggesting that the problem is worst in Delhi.
Last year there were 635 reported cases of rape in the capital but there was only one conviction.
Update:
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what do you think?
Malcolm Charlesworth
I am perturbed that no lawyer will represent them. It is not the lawyer's role to judge his client. A defendant should be entitled to sound counsel, fair and objective legal advice and a fair trial. If they plead guilty they should have a fair plea in mitigation. This case is taking on the proportions of a trial by Lynch mob: that the accused are presumed to be guilty. May be they are. But they face the death penalty. Possibly rightly so if guilty, but injustices cannot then be rectified. All the reason for their trial to be fair and to be seen to be fair.
Valerie Wood
I think any lawyer representing them would be fearful for their life as the feeling of the people out there is so volatile. Anyone seen as being on the side of the people charged would be a target.
saalam khamboshi
You make sense, Malcolm
Malcolm Charlesworth
Possibly so, but that isn't the reason given.
saalam khamboshi
I think both of you guys are right... Val and Mal
andy johnson
would u defend them
david
sorry malcolm but it.s a country that treats women like animals,,,so i say hang them and as for this a fair trial it makes you sound like the people who has this country on its knees with its justice ,,( or lack of it) a dogooder
Russell6730
Give them a fair trial and then hang them
Gordon Wright
These men will be properly represented as the court will appoint lawyers to defend them just as they do in this country. The trial would be illegal if this were not so. However, the lawyers who have so far refused to represent these men also have rights.........
david
bring them over here 2 years inside a free house and thousands for damages as we would infringe there human rights,,,,NO KEEP THEM THERE HOPE THEY HANG THEM
andy johnson
hang em high
Emmett Brown
What a backward ...3rd world country .. And the suspects appear in 'hoods' ??? Little wonder we are all doomed ..
TIM x
Its a vile wicked crime for which justice must be done but the accused are on trial for their lives and therefore entitled to defence counsel. It I obvious to me no one wants to defend them for fear of threats and intimidation due to the hue and cry. This is also wrong. Its also a reason why the death penalty cannot be reintroduced in the UK. The judges will feel pressured into passing a death sentence due to public opinion. That is unfair so I am calling for life imprisonment and life must mean life. I can't imagine an Indian jail being too pleasant an experience!
keith
Tim, all the information and proof is there, including DNA i would think and also 30+ witnesses to the vile crime on the young lady. Tell me, how would you feel if it was your wife, daughter, sister? The total proof is there so get them swinging i say. As for this weak country? It should bring back corporal punishment & hanging for the vile crimes that are committed to woman & children but its soft a*s*d fools like you that have brought this country to its knees with human rights etc. No thoughts for human rights when woman & children are taken and/or murdered etc. Get a grip and wake up!
TIM x
Exactly the same. I would call for life imprisonment. I know it's not the UK but since the Jo Yates murder and the internet abuse of Lord Mcalpine I can no longer support the death penalty. There would be too much risk of a miscarriage of justice where a judge or jury was influenced by the media. So I have had to apply the same principle to this case. Let them rot forever in an Indian jail
Louisa Gieldon
Tim, i do agree and have never supported the death penalty and never will .It is not fair when the pro capital punishment brigade try to imply that we are somehow kess sympathetic to the victims because of our beliefs. This crime was sickening and i hope these men are put away where they can harm no one else. I also agree that everyone is entitled to a defence and thaat we cannot pick and choose who we feel deserves a defence
Michael Chin-dencoy
justice i hope they do away with these nasty bunch.get rid yes....
happymike CHESTER
I think it is time India `s mentality from the cave man to modern man in 2013 is well over due.
shirley sutton
My god 635 cases and only one conviction says a lot for the police and legal system - all want locking up
Louisa Gieldon
Not brilliant is it?
johnny_1234
they should
Valerie Wood
11:24am on 3/1/2013
That explains why the bus driver didn't help, the men had stolen it and were joyriding. The poor couple were unaware and got on the bus Disgusting and vile
shirley sutton
6:40pm on 3/1/2013
So where did the 30 witnesses come from? Story changed everytime they put in on here - just hang them and be done with it now