Gang-Rape Trial Begins in India

The trial of the five men accused of raping and murdering a 23-year-old on a New Delhi bus began today, after being put on a special fast-track, the BBC reports. No arguments were actually heard, however. The defense argued that the trial should be open to the public, a request the judge denied. Charges were then read, and the trial adjourned until Thursday, when opening arguments will take place. But first, the court will hear a defense motion seeking to move the trial, with the defense arguing that the accused can't get a fair trial in the city the alleged rape took place in, the Telegraph reports.

But even as this trial begins, another brutal gang-rape is grabbing headlines. Yesterday, a 26-year-old nurse was reportedly abducted, drugged, and gang-raped, with her attackers allegedly filming the entire affair, the Times of India reports. She was found semi-conscious by the side of the road, and admitted to the hospital. The incident took place in Patiala, the same state where a gang-rape victim killed herself last month. These cases have made rape culture a hot-button issue in India, prompting the government to create six fast-track courts to handle crimes against women. (More India stories.)