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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. | 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. |
| Amid heavy security, five suspects appeared in court in the Indian capital for a second time on Thursday, before the case was adjourned until Monday. | |
| No decision was taken on moving the case to a fast-track trial. | |
| The court ruled on Thursday that the charge-sheet needed more scrutiny. | |
| 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. |
| If convicted, the five men charged face the death penalty. | |
| 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. |
| Evidence 'manipulated' | |
| Manohar Lal Sharma, who is intending to represent three of the accused - Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh - said one 22-year-old suspect had been tortured for 10 days. | Manohar Lal Sharma, who is intending to represent three of the accused - Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh - said one 22-year-old suspect had been tortured for 10 days. |
| "He was coerced into admission," said Mr Sharma outside the court on Thursday morning. "He's unable to speak now. | "He was coerced into admission," said Mr Sharma outside the court on Thursday morning. "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. |
| "Evidence has been manipulated to calm the anger among people." | "Evidence has been manipulated to calm the anger among people." |
| 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". | 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". |
| Lawyer Vivek Sharma, who says he is representing a fourth suspect, Pawan Gupta, says he will plead not guilty. | |
| It is not clear how the fifth suspect, Vinay Sharma, will plead. | It is not clear how the fifth suspect, Vinay Sharma, will plead. |
| 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. |
| 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. |