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India gang rape: Five suspects charged in Delhi India gang rape: Five suspects charged in Delhi
(about 1 hour later)
Five men in India have been charged with the kidnap, gang-rape and murder of a woman on a Delhi bus last month. Indian authorities have charged five men with the kidnap, gang-rape and murder of a woman in Delhi last month.
The 23-year-old medical student died at the weekend from injuries she sustained during the 16 December attack, in an incident that sparked national outrage. The 23-year-old died at the weekend from injuries from the 16 December attack. The incident sparked outrage.
If convicted, the five could face the death penalty. They are not expected to appear in court in person. The five will be tried in a special fast-track court where they could be handed the death penalty. They were not in court to be charged, said police.
A sixth suspect is reported to be under 18 and a juvenile. Police have ordered a bone marrow test to confirm his age. A sixth suspect is reported to be a juvenile. Police have ordered a bone marrow test to confirm his age.
The charges were presented at Delhi's Saket district court. The charges were put before a magistrate but will be transferred to a specially launched fast-track court.
The trial is expected to start at the weekend.
Although it is mandatory in India for the accused to appear in person to be charged, policemen outside the court said they would not be presented for security reasons.Although it is mandatory in India for the accused to appear in person to be charged, policemen outside the court said they would not be presented for security reasons.
Every 21 minutes a rape is carried out in India, according to government figures, and campaigners say many more go unreported.Every 21 minutes a rape is carried out in India, according to government figures, and campaigners say many more go unreported.
But ever since the Delhi gang rape on 16 December, thousands of ordinary people, with no political affiliation or ambition, have taken to the streets daily, protesting and demanding justice for the victim and her family.But ever since the Delhi gang rape on 16 December, thousands of ordinary people, with no political affiliation or ambition, have taken to the streets daily, protesting and demanding justice for the victim and her family.
The government, initially slow in its response to the public anger, promised a quick trial and conviction for the suspects. And on Wednesday, the city's first fast-track court was inaugurated in south Delhi's Saket district. The court is expected to hear the gang rape case on a day-to-day basis.The government, initially slow in its response to the public anger, promised a quick trial and conviction for the suspects. And on Wednesday, the city's first fast-track court was inaugurated in south Delhi's Saket district. The court is expected to hear the gang rape case on a day-to-day basis.
A speedy trial would help temporarily soothe the nerves of a city wounded by the barbaric attack on a young woman. But for such incidents not to recur in future, India has much to do to change society's feudal attitudes towards women.A speedy trial would help temporarily soothe the nerves of a city wounded by the barbaric attack on a young woman. But for such incidents not to recur in future, India has much to do to change society's feudal attitudes towards women.
The trial is expected to begin as early as the weekend, with daily hearings. Case documents already run to more than 1,000 pages.
Media reports say the charges and evidence run to more than 1,000 pages, including key testimony from the woman before she died, and that police have lined up about 30 witnesses. They include key testimony from the woman before she died.
Run-over attempt? Police say they have scheduled about 30 witnesses.
On Wednesday, thousands of women marched through Delhi to Rajghat - the memorial to India's independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi - to protest against the rape and Indian attitudes to women. Daily protests
On Wednesday, thousands of women marched through Delhi to Rajghat to protest against the rape, and more generally to Indian attitudes to women.
Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was among the protesters, and called for stringent anti-rape laws.Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was among the protesters, and called for stringent anti-rape laws.
The family of the victim, who has not been named, have said they would have no objection if a new anti-rape law was named after her, as suggested by India's Junior Education Minister Shashi Tharoor. India's Junior Education Minister Shashi Tharoor has suggested a new anti-rape law should be named after the victim, a medical student who has not been named.
The woman's family have said they would have no objection to such a move.
Protests have been taking place every day since the gang-rape with protesters expressing anger over attitudes to women in India and calling for changes to the laws on violence against women.Protests have been taking place every day since the gang-rape with protesters expressing anger over attitudes to women in India and calling for changes to the laws on violence against women.
The woman and a male friend had been to see a film when they boarded the bus. The woman and a male friend had been to see a film when they boarded a bus.
Police said she was raped for nearly an hour, and both she and her companion were beaten with iron bars, then thrown out of the moving bus into the street.Police said she was raped for nearly an hour, and both she and her companion were beaten with iron bars, then thrown out of the moving bus into the street.
On Tuesday, police sources said the driver of the bus had tried to run her over after throwing her out, but she was saved by her friend, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. The Press Trust of India quoted police sources saying the driver of the bus had tried to run her over after throwing her out, but she was saved by her friend.
Helpline launchedHelpline launched
The Indian government has been heavily criticised for failing to protect women.The Indian government has been heavily criticised for failing to protect women.
According to official figures, a woman is raped in Delhi every 14 hours, while women across the country say they are frequently subjected to sexual intimidation and violence.According to official figures, a woman is raped in Delhi every 14 hours, while women across the country say they are frequently subjected to sexual intimidation and violence.
Since the bus attack, Delhi officials have announced a series of measures intended to make the city safer for women.Since the bus attack, Delhi officials have announced a series of measures intended to make the city safer for women.
These include more police night patrols, checks on bus drivers and their assistants, and the banning of buses with tinted windows or curtains.These include more police night patrols, checks on bus drivers and their assistants, and the banning of buses with tinted windows or curtains.
The government has also set up a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to recommend changes to the anti-rape law.The government has also set up a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to recommend changes to the anti-rape law.
A telephone helpline has been launched for women in distress, connected with police stations across the city.A telephone helpline has been launched for women in distress, connected with police stations across the city.
But many of the protesters say that women are viewed as second-class citizens, and that a fundamental change in culture and attitudes, backed up by law, is needed to protect them.But many of the protesters say that women are viewed as second-class citizens, and that a fundamental change in culture and attitudes, backed up by law, is needed to protect them.