Posted on 03/11/2013 4:33:35 AM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
The main accused in the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in December hanged himself in jail Monday while in solitary confinement, prompting outrage from the victim's family.
Ram Singh, one of six people on trial over the shocking attack, was found dead shortly before dawn after making a noose out of his clothing, according to officials at Delhi's top-security Tihar jail.
"He tied all his clothes together and used the ceiling grille and a wooden stool to hang himself," the prison's law officer Sunil Gupta told AFP by phone.
He added that a judicial magistrate had begun an investigation to probe any security lapses surrounding the suicide of Singh, who was in his 30s and was the bus's regular driver.
But the father of the 23-year-old gang-rape victim told AFP it was clear that authorities had been negligent and that the family had been denied justice.
"We don't understand how could the police fail to protect Ram Singh.
They knew he was the prime accused in my daughter's case," said the father, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
"How could they let him choose the way he wanted to die? The police have failed and I wonder what will happen to the case now."
The victim's mother said she was shocked to hear of the suicide.
"I just wanted justice for my daughter. The main accused is dead. Maybe the guilt killed him?" she told AFP.
Singh was making regular appearances in a New Delhi court where he faced murder, rape and kidnapping charges over the crime which ignited street protests and soul-searching about endemic sex crime in India.
Four other men charged over the gang-rape face the death sentence if convicted in a special fast-track court, whose proceedings are subject to a media gagging order. They have all pleaded not guilty.
A sixth 17-year-old suspect is being tried in a juveniles' court where he faces a maximum three years imprisonment.
The victim, who was studying physiotherapy, died on December 29 at a hospital in Singapore, 13 days after the attack.
As well as being repeatedly raped, she was also violated with a metal bar, leaving her with massive internal injuries.
Singh, a widower whose younger brother Mukesh is also an accused, was the regular driver of the white private bus alleged to have been used for the December 16 crime, which was normally used to ferry school children.
Police say Singh and friends had enjoyed a meal together and had been drinking heavily before deciding to take the bus out for a night-time joy ride, picking up passengers who mistook the vehicle for genuine public transport.
Another senior police officer investigating the case, who asked not to be named, insisted that the suicide would not affect the ongoing trial.
"The (court) case will continue. There is no reason for the case to suffer," said the officer, who also confirmed that Singh killed himself at 5:15 am.
Another police officer deployed at Tihar Jail said Singh's body had been taken to the government-run Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital and his brother Mukesh had been informed.
"We tried to save him and even employed revival techniques but failed," he told AFP.
Singh, originally from western Rajasthan state, lived in a New Delhi slum called Ravi Dass Colony where neighbours described him and his brother as rowdy and heavy drinkers.
"They were always drinking, abusing and getting into fights with us," one neighbour, who works as a domestic servant, told AFP.
“How could they let him choose the way he wanted to die?
At least he’s dead. It’s rare that his type get justice.
“At least he’s dead. It’s rare that his type get justice.”
Not only dead, but he didn’t get a 20 year FREE RIDE in the clink, as we do here, even in Texas.
Don't you just love when all things "unexpectedly" come together in a perfect storm?
Leni
I read a way better story where the father and lawyer both said he was the victim of foul play.
Singh, 33, had been among five defendants facing the death penalty if convicted of the rape attack, which horrified Indians and set off national protests. A sixth accused is being tried and jailed separately because he is a juvenile.
Ram Singh’s family and lawyer alleged foul play in his death.
‘‘There were no circumstances which could have led to Ram Singh committing suicide. There was no mental stress. He was very happy,’’ his lawyer V.K. Anand said. Lawyers for the defendants had previously accused police of beating confessions out of the men.
Indian jails have a reputation for overcrowding, poor management and brutal treatment of inmates.
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 the man appeared fine and gave no hint of any despair that could drive him to take his own life.
So we have a guy facing death penalty. Allegedly raped early and often and according to his lawyer and father he was not suffering from mental stress nor despair and indeed was very happy.
Man they must have great rooms and a great chef in that jail.
Why is forceable disembowelment with iron rods EVER referred to as the crime of “rape”?
Yep. The only room for improvement would have been to have left him a "fire escape" rope.
I've long been an advocate of providing these small conveniences to our gallows birds on death row. Plus a memorial photograph to hang on a nearby wall to encourage others to use this exit strategy.
Every single cell should be supplied with hanging equipment (not shared cells or they’d use it on each other). Could save billions in court costs!
The main accused in the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in December hanged himself in jail Monday while in solitary confinement, prompting outrage from the victim's family.
Why is forceable disembowelment with iron rods EVER referred to as the crime of “rape”?
Is that what happened to the poor girl. God be with her.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.