A city court on Sunday sent Ram Singh, Pawan and Vinay — all accused in the gang-rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus a week ago — to 14 days’ judicial custody.
All three, whose faces were covered, admitted to their crime but refused to undergo a Test Identification Parade (TIP). The prosecution, which did not seek an extension of their police custody, had sought their consent for the TIP. At this, two of them refused a TIP albeit admitting their involvement in the crime. They told the court that they were ready to face any punishment — even death — for their deed.
Investigating Officer Pratibha Sharma later said all the three have refused to be a part of the TIP. They will now be produced in court on January 6.
Ram Singh (36), driver of the bus in which the heinous crime was committed and the first to be arrested, was earlier produced in court on Tuesday which remanded him to five days’ police custody.
Pawan and Vinay, who along with Ram Singh’s brother and another accused Mukesh, were produced in a Saket court a day later, were sent to four days’ police custody. Both confessed to their guilt and refused a TIP back then.
Meanwhile, two other accused, Akshay and the juvenile Rahul (name changed), both of whom were arrested on Friday, have agreed to a TIP.
According to a senior police official, the TIP of Rahul, currently in a juvenile home, would take place on Monday, while Akshay, who had been sent to judicial custody following his arrest, would be subjected to the same two days later. Mukesh, who had agreed to and subsequently underwent a TIP while in judicial custody, would be produced before a city court on December 26. Mukesh, who was allegedly driving the bus that night, was taken into police custody after the victim’s male friend, who was was assaulted along with her, had identified him.
All six accused face charges of gang-rape, attempt to murder, robbery and destruction of evidence.
