Singapore doctor testifies in New Delhi gang rape case

Five men are on trial for murder, rape and robbery and other charges, while a sixth defendant, who is a juvenile, is being tried separately for alleged roles in the December assault.

NEW DELHI // A Singapore doctor who performed the autopsy on an Indian gang-rape victim testified via videolink today in the trial of five men accused of her murder, a defence lawyer said.

The 23-year-old student was raped and violated with an an iron bar in December. She was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore but died of massive internal injuries.

"The doctor who conducted the post-mortem on the woman at the Singapore hospital has deposed before the trial court judge," said the lawyer VK Anand.

Despite huge public interest in the case, the judge has barred reporting of the proceedings of the trial.

Mr Anand said two other doctors from Mount Elizabeth Hospital would also testify in the trial which is being held in a new "fast-track" New Delhi court established to hear the case.

Post-mortem testimony in murder trials is vital to establish the cause of death, as well as help to determine whether the death was intentional, lawyers say.

The physiotherapy student was attacked on a New Delhi bus while returning home after watching a film at a mall.

Five men are on trial for murder, rape and robbery and other charges, while a sixth defendant, who is a juvenile, is being tried separately.

Although sexual harassment is commonplace in India and gang rapes far from rare, the case has touched a nerve in the country, leading to an outpouring of criticism of the police and attitudes toward women in Indian society.