Accused attend court in gang rape murder case

An Indian court hearing the case of five men accused of gang-raping and murdering a 23-year-old student was cleared on Monday as chaotic scenes forced the hearing to be held behind closed doors. The suspects were to be presented for the first time since the attack which took place on a bus on December 16, sparking protests in India and abroad as well as soul-searching about endemic violence against women. But the court was closed after noisy protests from lawyers objecting to the suspects being given defence counsels, and a crush of local and foreign journalists straining to hear proceedings in the tiny room.