Hundreds of protesters in India's capital have staged a demonstration to demand strong action against the six men accused of gang raping and torturing a 23-year-old woman, a crime that has sparked outrage across the country.
The demonstrators marched Friday in New Delhi to seek justice for the rape victim who has been hospitalized with severe genital and abdominal injuries since Sunday, the day of the rape.
A male friend of the woman tried to prevent the attack, but was beaten up by the assailants. Both victims were stripped and dumped on a road after the incident.
Police have arrested five of the six attackers.
On Thursday, an Indian think tank
released a study revealing that 27 political candidates have been accused of raping women. The Association for Democratic Reforms did not, however, record how many of the accused have been found guilty.
An Indian protester shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
Indians protesting the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, display a poster calling for death penalty for offenders at a rally in Kolkata, December 27, 2012.
Police stand near barricades as they prepare to stop protesters on their way to India Gate while demonstrating against the gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
People participate in a candle light vigil for the recovery of the young victim of the recent brutal gang-rape in a bus in New Delhi, India, December 26, 2012.
A woman is removed by Indian police while protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 25, 2012.
Police and relatives carry the body of Subhash Tomar, a police man, during his funeral in New Delhi, December 25, 2012. Tomar died after he was injured during a protest over a gang rape in New Delhi.
Members of the All India Democratic Students Organization (DSO) hold placards and shout slogans condemning the brutal gang rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi during a protest in Ahmadabad, India, December 24, 2012.
Indian police use water cannons to push back protesters during a demonstration near the India Gate against the gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
An Indian man overwhelmed by tear gas lies on the ground during a protest in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
A demonstrator holds a placard in front of India Gate as she takes part in a protest rally organized by various women's organisations in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.
People participate in a candlelight vigil for the fast recovery of a young woman as she fights for her life at a hospital after being brutally raped and tortured, in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.