New Delhi:
Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir on Wednesday inaugurated a fast-track court in New Delhi for quick trial of the suspects in the gang-rape of 23-year-old medical student 'Amanat' (NOT her real name), whose torture in a moving bus and death in a Singapore hospital continues to evoke anger and grief on the streets of the Capital and elsewhere. The owner of the bus, who had gone missing, was arrested.
Here are the latest developments:
Justice Kabir said had the Supreme Court's directive to remove tinted glasses (from vehicles) been followed strictly, the case may not have happened. (Students' anger must be contained: CJI)
The Delhi Police will file a 1000-page chargesheet in the metropolitan magistrate's court on Thursday, after which the case will be referred to the fast-track court. The police are likely to present the chargesheet in a pen drive. (Case set to begin)
The police are conducting a bone test on one of the six suspects to confirm his claim that he is a juvenile. Prosecutors, the police said, will seek death penalty for the other five suspects. (Bone test on suspect)
Lawyers have vowed not to defend the suspects. "No lawyer will stand up to defend them. It would be immoral to defend the case," said Sanjay Kumar, member of the Saket District Bar Council. (Lawyers boycott suspects)
The Delhi High Court heard a plea against prohibitory orders (Section 144) imposed around India Gate during the recent protests and ticked off the Delhi Police. "There are rights to movement and speech and expression; it (section 144 of CrPC) cannot be used just like that," the court said. (Why was India Gate sealed, asks court)
Amanat's family welcomed Union Minister Shashi Tharoor's suggestion that the country's anti-rape laws, now being studied by a panel for revision, be named after the student. But sources said there is no provision in the law to allow that. (Family 'yes' triggers debate)
Shocking details continue to emerge about the December 16 gang-rape. Police sources said the men in the bus allegedly tried to run over Amanat and her friend after throwing them out of the bus. She was saved by her friend just in time. (The brutal attack)
The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party wrote to the Prime Minister that Amanat be posthumously honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, the county's highest civilian award for bravery, on Republic Day. (She inspired nation, says BJP Delhi chief)
There was no let-up in the protests. Hundreds marched in Delhi, from Bal Bhawan to Rajghat, on Wednesday to demand justice for Amanat. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off the march. (A march for dignity)
Amanat died in a Singapore hospital on December 29 after a brave fight to survive that left even her doctors amazed. She underwent three major surgeries in less than two weeks, including one to have her intestines removed, suffered a cardiac arrest as well as brain damage. Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital, where she was first treated, say she was strong-willed and positive and often told her mother she wanted to live.
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