India rape: Delhi court hears of forensic evidence

DNA tests have linked five men with a gang rape and murder last month that has caused outrage in India, a court in Delhi has heard.

The pre-trial hearing was held at the District Court in the Saket area of the Indian capital.

The judge ordered the five to appear before her on Monday. A sixth suspect is expected to be tried as a juvenile.

The woman, 23, died last weekend. Her friend has been recalling the harrowing details of the attack on a bus.

The man, who has not been named, told Zee News how he and the victim had boarded the bus and paid a fare, before he was beaten unconscious by men on board, who then attacked her.

Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan told Magistrate Namrita Aggarwal that DNA tests confirmed by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory had shown that blood stains found on the clothing of all of the accused had matched the blood of the victim.

Mr Mohan also cited records from the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where the woman died, which said death was caused by septicaemia and multiple-organ failure.

The BBC's Andrew North, in Delhi, says the case continues to put Indian life under a sharp magnifying glass, and for many people it is uncomfortable viewing.

Meanwhile, police have opened an investigation into whether Zee News broke broadcasting laws relating to disclosure of the victim's identity.

The victim's friend was not named but his face was shown.

Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told AFP news agency that a case had been filed against the broadcaster.

The case has caused a national outcry, and there have been frequent protests calling for greater protection for women.