India police to charge 5 with murder in brutal gang-rape, test 6th suspect to confirm age

Indian men hold posters while participating in a candle-lit vigil to mourn the death of a gang rape victim in New Delhi, India, Dec. 31, 2012. / AP

NEW DELHI Indian police said Tuesday that they expect to formally charge five of six suspects with murder in the death of 23-year-old woman who was raped on a moving bus in New Delhi. The sixth suspect in the case that has outraged the country is under 18 and a juvenile.

Police ordered a bone test for the sixth accused to confirm his age, according to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters. Under Indian law, a juvenile cannot be prosecuted for murder.

New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Tuesday that a charge-sheet in the case will be filed in court on Thursday. The suspects face the death penalty if convicted. CBS News' Sanjay Jha says the charges will fill an estimated 1,000 pages, and name about 30 witnesses to the attack.

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The physiotherapy student died last week in a Singapore hospital where she had been sent for emergency treatment after the crime in India's capital on Dec. 16.

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Indian women protest brutality

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Gang-rape sparks rage in India

The case has triggered protests across India and raised questions about lax attitudes by police toward sexual crimes.

Protesters and politicians from across the spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists — including possible chemical castration — and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.

Thousands of Indians have lit candles, held prayer meetings and marched through various cities and towns to express their grief and demand stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape, which is now punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment.

On Monday, the Indian army and navy canceled their New Year's celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress party. Several hotels and clubs across the capital also did not hold their usual parties

Women face daily harassment across India, including catcalls on the streets and groping and touching on public transport.

[nexelish]

I like the fighting spirit of this Indian maid/Unafraid with tooth and nail
she did vile evil upbraid/Death was her final release/Now she has divine
bliss and peace...

[InvisibleZombie]

They have no record of the sixth man's age or birthdate? Is this a very backwards area or is the whole country that bad?

And "Rape Isn't Cool". Well obviously, but what genius came up with that slogan?! Murder and arson aren't cool either, duh.

[bobbychuckles]

Hang 'em high and let it be a warning to anyone contemplating a heinous act like this.

[joesapper]

And then there is the six aid workers that were gunned down in Pakistan alone with their male driver , the six women were medical aid voluntrees from Pakistan . The brutal assault on the woman in India is supported by more than those that protest this attack of the five animals , and we send them billions , go figure .

[magnumdr]

This is pathetic. These aren't Men and never will be. I pray that carma pays them all back.

[RobertGift]

Ain't no such thing as Karma. If you believe such, I have a religion to sell to you. Any religion will do. (Also comes with title to a NYC bridge!)

[usresham]

Violence against women should be treated as crime against humanity all over the world. No government should show mercy towards such crimes.

[askagain]

The crime is horrible. Whether 30 witnesses did nothing to stop the rape has nothing to do with the guilt of those who committed the rape. How do we excuse the attackers because others didn't attempt to stop the attackers? There is no justification for the crime.

[chanben]

These days , you can't stop the RAPIST raping girls. First, unless each censorship board in every country should STOP producing films that bare women breast and vagina. No matter how strict your laws is, RAPE will accelerate more in the coming days. That's common sense... but a lots of movie producers wants MORE MONEY... so the result crimes will increase.
Second... teach your young girls and adult women to wear a modest apparel... TEACH and EDUCATE them NOT wear SHORTS, SHIRTS w/o BRAS... MINI SKIRTS or any indecent apparel which will ignite MEN and gave them motives to make them like hungry wolves ready to eat and taste you.
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk ... that's so simple and yet many are so IGNORANT.

[Solarrays247]

Why are you giving men a "pass" regarding rape? Do you believe that men are so weak that they can't have morals, ethics, and respect for humankind? By the way, there is nothing sinful about our human bodies. The "sin" is in your perception of same!

What is the problem with raising our sons to respect women and to respect themselves? What is the problem with teaching our sons that rape is never acceptable...ever?

I believe that men are far more intelligent and not as weak as you give them credit for, and I refuse to give them a "pass" as to their responsibility to act with compassion toward others!

[IBBuckshot]

A problem may be more to the responsibility of the men who are intellectually or physically deficient as to have to entertain themselves with the movie producer's channels ie: porn. It is not the producers problem as it is a individual choice where a man directs his attention. If you don't want something don't put your attention on it. Simple?
Next. it makes no difference what a young girl or adult woman wears. Short shorts, split crotch undies etc. If the man observing this dress has a moral fiber and advanced human mentality verses that of the primitave ape this event would never occur.
Unfortunately the observers will be suffering from this event for the rest of their lives. If the sixth criminal is a juvenile he should be hung in front of the public square with the rest of the mental incompentents.

[taxed01]

Sounds like their justice system is a lot like ours - under 18 and you can kill all you want.