- Title: INDIA: Key eyewitness in Dehli gang-rape trial is cross examined in court
- Date: 6th February 2013
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (FEBRUARY 06, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) EXTERIOR OF THE COURT WHERE THE GANG RAPE ACCUSED ARE BEING TRIED BOARD READING: "DELHI COURT COMPLEX SAKET" (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DEFENSE LAWYER A. P. SINGH, SAYING: "When the defense counsel cross-examines the witness, then we highlight those points, which the police have not revealed. Whatever the police hides, we bring it to the fore and that is our defence. There were objections raised on this. The star witness, who is also the complainant in the case, mentioned and admitted to certain things during his interviews and we will see what he says over here." PEOPLE ENTERING THE COURT COMPLEX SECURITY PERSONNEL POSTED OUTSIDE THE COURT COMPLEX (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DEFENSE LAWYER A. P. SINGH, SAYING: "The case has been adjourned until tomorrow, so that we can respond to the application. After the reply, there will be an argument, then a judgment and the prosecution will provide evidence." VEHICLE BELIEVED TO BE CARRYING THE EYEWITNESS IN THE CASE LEAVING COURT PREMISES
- Embargoed: 21st February 2013 22:15
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Crime
- Reuters ID: LVABIC5Z65GVGL1316T8OV2421RC
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Defense lawyers cross examined an eyewitness in the trial of five men charged with gang-raping and murdering a young woman on a bus in New Delhi on Wednesday (February 6).
The woman's friend first appeared in court on Tuesday (February 5) 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.
Lawyer of the two of the accused, A. P Singh, said they will highlight what they say are discrepancies in the account given by the victim's friend.
"When the defense counsel cross-examines the witness, then we highlight those points, which the police have not revealed. Whatever the police hides, we bring it to the fore and that is our defence. There were objections raised on this. The star witness, who is also the complainant in the case, mentioned and admitted to certain things during his interviews and we will see what he says over here," he told reporters.
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 Dec. 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.
In his statement to police after the assault, the friend said their attackers had asked "where are you going with a girl so late at night?" before launching a furious assault in which he was beaten with a metal rod and his clothes ripped off. While he was being beaten, the woman was repeatedly raped, he said, according to a police charge sheet seen by Reuters.
Singh added that the case has been adjourned until Thursday (February 07).
"The case has been adjourned until tomorrow, so that we can respond to the application. After the reply, there will be an argument, then a judgment and the prosecution will provide evidence," he said.
The five men are being tried in a special fast-track court opposite the shopping mall where the victim and her friend went to watch the film "Life of Pi" before boarding the bus. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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