Gang-rape victim's friend comes in wheel chair to testify

 The male friend of the December 16 gang-rape victim appeared before a fast track court at Saket on Tuesday to testify against five of the six accused. The 28-year-old prosecution witness came in a wheelchair in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna.

Although he was kept away from media glare, his father confirmed he would give evidence in the trial. “My son will go to any lengths to ensure that the guilty are punished. He will cooperate and is prepared to answer any question posed by the defense,” the father said as the two of them entered the courtroom.

The software engineer, confined to a wheelchair as a result of injuries sustained in the attack, was further asked to identify a bus parked in the court compound. He then returned inside the courtroom where he was expected to be cross-examined by lawyers of the accused.

Beside the male friend, the court also summoned three other prosecution witness to depose before the judge in the case.

The court had on Saturday framed charges against Ram Singh, 33, his brother Mukesh Singh, 24, Pawan Gupta, 18, Vinay Sharma, 20, and Akshay Thakur, 28. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty before the court and claimed trial.