Companion of woman opens Indian rape trial
Source: Agencies |
February 6, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE trial of five men charged with gang-raping and murdering a young woman on a bus in New Delhi opened yesterday with closed-door testimony from her friend who appeared at court in a wheelchair, still bearing the scars of injuries from the attack.
The 28-year-old software engineer, who may not be identified, is the prosecution's star witness in a case that has triggered nationwide protests, an intense debate about rampant crime against women in India and tougher anti-rape laws.
The five accused are Vinay Sharma, a gym assistant; Ram Singh, the bus driver; his brother Mukesh Singh; bus cleaner Akshay Kumar Singh and fruit vendor Pawan Kumar. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and murder. A sixth accused is being tried separately as a juvenile.
Police allege the six attacked the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist and her friend on the bus as the couple returned home from watching a movie on December 16. The woman was repeatedly raped and tortured with a metal bar. The couple were also severely beaten before being thrown onto a road.
The woman died of internal injuries in a Singapore hospital two weeks later.
As the trial got under way, the victim's father made a surprise appearance at a news conference organized by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to call for the attackers to be hanged.
The prosecution says articles stolen from the couple, including their cellphones, rings and debit cards were found in raids conducted on the homes of the accused. DNA evidence and bloodstained clothes also form part of their case.
Defense lawyers say they will highlight what they say are discrepancies in the account given by the victim's friend.
The 28-year-old software engineer, who may not be identified, is the prosecution's star witness in a case that has triggered nationwide protests, an intense debate about rampant crime against women in India and tougher anti-rape laws.
The five accused are Vinay Sharma, a gym assistant; Ram Singh, the bus driver; his brother Mukesh Singh; bus cleaner Akshay Kumar Singh and fruit vendor Pawan Kumar. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and murder. A sixth accused is being tried separately as a juvenile.
Police allege the six attacked the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist and her friend on the bus as the couple returned home from watching a movie on December 16. The woman was repeatedly raped and tortured with a metal bar. The couple were also severely beaten before being thrown onto a road.
The woman died of internal injuries in a Singapore hospital two weeks later.
As the trial got under way, the victim's father made a surprise appearance at a news conference organized by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to call for the attackers to be hanged.
The prosecution says articles stolen from the couple, including their cellphones, rings and debit cards were found in raids conducted on the homes of the accused. DNA evidence and bloodstained clothes also form part of their case.
Defense lawyers say they will highlight what they say are discrepancies in the account given by the victim's friend.
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