RUN-UP TO JUSTICE

Dec 16, 2012: A 23-year-old paramedical student was brutally gang-raped and her male friend assaulted on a moving bus by six persons. The couple was thrown off the bus, near the Mahipalpur flyover after the crime.

Dec 17: Bus driver Ram Singh and two other accused arrested.

Dec 18: Fourth accused

held.

Dec 20: Victim’s friend identified one of the accused as the rapist in a test identification parade at Tihar jail

Dec 21: A juvenile, the fifth accused arrested

Dec 21: Sixth accused arrested from Bihar.

Dec 23: Delhi High Court set up special fast-track court for the trial of the case

Jan 3, 2013: Police filed chargesheet booking all accused for murder, gang rape, unnatural offences, kidnapping, dacoity, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.

Jan 28: Juvenile Justice Board confirmed fifth accused is a minor

Jan 29 : Supreme Court dismissed petition seeking shifting trial out of Delhi. Accused had argued that a fair trial was not possible in Delhi given the public mood.

Feb 2: Fast track court charged five accused with 13 offences including murder and gang rape

Feb 5: Trial started. Court began recording statement of witnesses

Feb 28: Juvenile Board framed rape, murder charges against minor accused.

March 11: Main accused Ram Singh committed suicide in his cell in Tihar jail.

March 22: Delhi HC lifted media gag on reporting the case

April 2 : Accused Vinay requested for “proper diet” of “milk and fruit” in jail. He also requested for newspaper. Sought permission to appear for Air Force job test which was allowed by court two days later

April 6 : Vinay alleged assault inside jail, came to court with a plastered arm

April 22: The doctor, who was in-charge of the ICU where the victim was treated for 10 days, told court that the injury inflicted upon by the six accused persons can cause death.

April 23-May 4: Police in PCR van , doctors, forensic and DNA experts deposed

May 4-Jul 9: Police officers, male friend of victim, Investigating officer deposed

Jul 9–Aug 9: Crossexamination of various witnesses by defence

Aug 10: Recording of prosecution evidence concluded

Aug 16: Recording of defence evidence concluded

Aug 22: Prosecution began final arguments

Aug 28: Defence lawyers began final argument

Sept 3: Trial concluded; judgment reserved for Sept 10

Sept 10: Court held the four accused guilty; reserved judgment on quantum of punishment.