Delhi rape accused found dead in prison

A suspect in the abduction, rape and murder of a student in the Indian capital, Delhi, has been found dead in prison, his lawyer has confirmed.

Police say Ram Singh hanged himself in Tihar jail, Delhi, although defence lawyers have questioned this.

Ram Singh was one of five men being held in the case. They all deny the charges.

The brutal attack on the student in December outraged India and triggered a debate about the treatment of women.

A sixth suspect is being tried by a juvenile court.

Ram Singh's lawyer, VK Anand, told the BBC he was informed about his client's death by police, BBC reports.

The 55-year-old jail houses more than 12,000 inmates although it has an official capacity of about 6,000.

The complex includes nine separate prison facilities.

Media reports quoting the chief of Tihar prison Vimla Mehra say there were 18 deaths in Tihar prison last year, of which two were cases of suicide.