Delhi gang rape suspects arrive at India court

PanARMENIAN.Net - Five men accused in the shocking rape and killing of an Indian woman last month arrived at a New Delhi court on Monday, Jan 7 to hear the charges against them, CNN reported.

The horrific attack on the 23-year-old woman in New Delhi prompted protests over the country's treatment of women and handling of sexual attacks. It also stirred worldwide outrage.

The suspects were due to appear in the Metropolitan Magistrates' Court in the southern New Delhi district of Saket amid tight security and a heavy news media presence.

Tempers flared inside the packed courtroom ahead of the suspects' appearance, with some lawyers loudly criticizing the offer by a couple of their colleagues to represent the suspects.

"You will not defend those barbarians!" shouted one young lawyer, pointing his finger at Manohar Lal Sharma, one of those willing to represent the accused men. The local bar association last week vowed not to represent any of the suspects because of the nature of the crime they are accused of committing.

The magistrates' court was expected to transfer the case to a so-called "fast-track" court, several of which have been set up to expedite cases in a justice system bogged down by red tape.

Charges of murder, rape and kidnapping were filed against five of the accused men on Thursday. If convicted, they could receive the death penalty.