As he recalls the attack that killed his best friend and left him grievously wounded, the young IT operator still can’t fathom the depravity they encountered after a night out at a Delhi shopping centre.

Police badly beat the five suspects arrested over the brutal gang rape and killing of a young woman on a bus in India, the lawyer for three of the men said today.

A lawyer for three suspects in the brutal rape and killing of a young woman in New Delhi says they will plead not guilty in the case that has transfixed India and raised questions about the treatment of women.

Five men have appeared in court to face charges over the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi amid chaotic scenes that forced the hearing behind closed doors.