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Delhi gang rape suspects 'tortured to force confession' | Delhi gang rape suspects 'tortured to force confession' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A potential lawyer for three of the men charged with the abduction, rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi says his clients have been tortured and coerced into admitting the crime. | |
Five men are due to appear in court in the Indian capital for a second time, with the case expected to be moved to a special fast-track court. | Five men are due to appear in court in the Indian capital for a second time, with the case expected to be moved to a special fast-track court. |
If convicted, the suspects face the death penalty. | If convicted, the suspects face the death penalty. |
The case has shocked India and prompted a debate about the treatment of women. | The case has shocked India and prompted a debate about the treatment of women. |
A sixth suspect, who is thought to be 17, will be tried separately in a youth court if it is confirmed he is a minor. | A sixth suspect, who is thought to be 17, will be tried separately in a youth court if it is confirmed he is a minor. |
Manohar Lal Sharma, who is intending to represent three of the accused - Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh - said one of the men had been tortured for 10 days. | |
"This 22-year-old boy was picked up from his village," said Mr Sharma as he entered court on Thursday morning. | "This 22-year-old boy was picked up from his village," said Mr Sharma as he entered court on Thursday morning. |
"He was tortured for 10 days. He was coerced into admission. He's unable to speak now. | "He was tortured for 10 days. He was coerced into admission. He's unable to speak now. |
"All these people have been tortured badly. It's under pressure that they have made statements in court." | "All these people have been tortured badly. It's under pressure that they have made statements in court." |
Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat refused to comment, citing legal restrictions. | Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat refused to comment, citing legal restrictions. |
Sunil Gupta, a spokesman for Tihar Jail where the suspects are being held, told the BBC all the accused were being kept in different sections of the jail "and their safety is guaranteed". | |
It is not clear how the other two suspects - Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma - will plead or who will represent them. | It is not clear how the other two suspects - Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma - will plead or who will represent them. |
Prosecutors have said they have extensive forensic evidence. | Prosecutors have said they have extensive forensic evidence. |
Police criticised | Police criticised |
The magistrate has ordered that the preliminary hearings be held behind closed doors and has put restraints on media reporting. | The magistrate has ordered that the preliminary hearings be held behind closed doors and has put restraints on media reporting. |
Reports say that the court will decide on the venue for the fast-track trial. | Reports say that the court will decide on the venue for the fast-track trial. |
There were chaotic scenes in the Delhi court on Monday when the group appeared for the first time. | There were chaotic scenes in the Delhi court on Monday when the group appeared for the first time. |
Lawyers argued with each other over representation and the magistrate adjourned the hearing, moving it behind closed doors. | Lawyers argued with each other over representation and the magistrate adjourned the hearing, moving it behind closed doors. |
Separately, the Delhi High Court has criticised the city's police over the gang rape incident on 16 December. | Separately, the Delhi High Court has criticised the city's police over the gang rape incident on 16 December. |
The court said on Wednesday that only one police officer had been suspended in connection with the incident, and asked the police: "Why are you trying to save the errant policemen?" | The court said on Wednesday that only one police officer had been suspended in connection with the incident, and asked the police: "Why are you trying to save the errant policemen?" |
The victim, who cannot be named in India for legal reasons, and a male friend were attacked on a bus in south Delhi. She died two weeks later in a hospital in Singapore. | The victim, who cannot be named in India for legal reasons, and a male friend were attacked on a bus in south Delhi. She died two weeks later in a hospital in Singapore. |
Campaigners are calling for tougher rape laws and reforms to the police, who - critics say - often fail to file charges against those accused of attacks. | Campaigners are calling for tougher rape laws and reforms to the police, who - critics say - often fail to file charges against those accused of attacks. |