Five men accused of gang-raping and murdering a 23-year-old student in New Delhi in December will be formally charged in court on Saturday, which will set the stage for the beginning of their trial.
The heated case continues to bring thousands of protesters to the streets, igniting an intense public debate over the failure of the police and the government to stem rampant violence against women throughout India.
According to media reports, the young woman was tortured with an iron rod and raped on a moving bus in the capital on Dec. 16. She was then thrown bleeding onto the street. A male friend of hers was also beaten in the attack. She died of organ failure in a Singapore hospital two weeks later
Prosecutors have said they have a large amount of evidence, including the DNA from blood-stained clothing recovered by police. The five accused will plead not guilty to rape and murder, one of the defense lawyers said. Defense counsel have told Reuters they will argue that the DNA evidence was fabricated and at least two of the accused will say they made confessions after they were tortured in custody.
The five, who police say range in age from 19 to 34, have appeared in court almost daily for pre-trial hearings on the framing of the charges. They entered on Wednesday, concealing their faces with scarves. The prosecution wants the men tried for rape, kidnapping, murder and robbery, among other charges
The Associated Press has reported that the sixth suspect will be tried as a juvenile in a separate court as a special panel ruled this week that it accepted school records showing him to be 17 years old. The teenager would receive a maximum of three years in jail if convicted.
According to the defense lawyer, the court may not complete the process on Saturday and could continue on Monday. The trial would begin immediately afterwards.
The Associated Press reports that all court proceedings will take place behind closed doors to protect the identity of the victim. The judge has also issued gag orders on defense lawyers and the media, warning them not to repeat anything said in court.
