Three of the men accused of raping and murdering an Indian student have asked lawyers to defend them and the lawyers have agreed to do so, even though most of the judiciary has refused to represent the suspects because of outrage over the attack.

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.

Indian police have filed rape and murder charges against five men accused in the gang rape of a woman on a New Delhi bus.