A man on trial for the gang rape and fatal beating of a woman on a New Delhi bus committed suicide in an Indian jail today, according to police, but his lawyer and family claim he was killed.
Ram Singh was among the five men and a juvenile awaiting trial for the brutal attack on the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist in the Indian capital.
The assault triggered nationwide protests and an intense debate about rampant crime against women in India.
The CNN-IBN news channel said Singh hanged himself in his cell with his own clothes.
India's deputy home minister, RPN Singh, said an inquiry had been ordered into the suicide, according to the Press Trust of India.
Ram Singh's family and lawyer alleged foul play over his death.
His lawyer VK Anand said: 'There were no circumstances which could have led to Ram Singh committing suicide. There was no mental stress. He was very happy.'
Lawyers for the defendants had previously accused police of beating confessions out of the men.
Ram Singh's father, Mangelal Singh, said his son had been raped in prison by other inmates and had been repeatedly threatened by inmates and guards.
Nevertheless, he said he visited his son four days ago and he appeared fine and gave no hint of the despair that could drive him to take his own life.
'Somebody has killed him,' he said, insisting he would push for a top-level investigation into the death.
The brother, mother and father (left to right) of Ram Singh claim he was murdered and had not committed suicide
source: dailymail
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