Handcuff Indian gang-rape 5 - State
2013-01-14 16:37
New Delhi - Indian prosecutors said on Monday that the
five adults charged with the murder and gang-rape of a student in New Delhi are
"dangerous men" and should be handcuffed while in custody.
The five accused, who have so far not been handcuffed
when brought to court, were produced before a magistrate for the third time on
Monday.
The proceedings, which are being held behind closed
doors, were adjourned until Thursday following legal arguments, lawyers told
AFP outside the courtroom.
"These five men have committed a heinous crime, they
gang-raped and murdered a woman. They must be handcuffed by the police to
prevent them from attacking anyone in the jail or in the court," public
prosecutor Rajesh Mohan told AFP.
Mohan said the prosecution had officially requested the
five be handcuffed and the court would give its ruling on Thursday.
There are strict limits on handcuffing in India.
It can be used only in exceptional circumstances, when
the court deems that there is a real prospect that a suspect could escape or
attack fellow inmates.
Defence lawyer A P Singh, who is representing two of the
accused, said his clients are not "hardened criminals" and should not
be handcuffed.
The five adults have been charged with murder, rape and
robbery in connection with the 16 December attack on the 23-year-old student,
who died 13 days later in a Singapore hospital from horrific injuries.
A sixth suspect, who says he is 17 years old, is likely
to be tried in a juvenile court if medical tests confirm he is a minor.
He will be presented before the court on Tuesday.
The attack on the student outraged Indians, leading to
massive protests and calls for tougher laws to punish rapes.
In her first published comments, the mother of the
student said on Sunday that all her daughter's attackers deserve to die,
regardless of age.
A wide-ranging gagging order has been imposed on media
coverage of the proceedings.
