NEW DELHI, February 5 - RAPSI. A fast-track court in New Delhi has started the trial of five men accused of raping and murdering a female student. The case has triggered nationwide protests and massive public outcry.

On December 16, the 23-year-old student was beaten and raped by six men in New Delhi as she was returning from a cinema with her friend. She died two weeks later in a Singapore hospital.

Following the incident, mass protests were staged throughout the country, with people demanding toughening security measures in cities and penalties for crimes against women.

The police arrested six suspects in the case. The preliminary hearings began on January 21.

On February 2, Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Pavan Gupta, and Akshay Singh were charged with 13 offenses, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, collaborating to commit a crime, and robbery.

A sixth suspect was found to have been underaged at the time of crime. His case will be handled separately.

On Monday, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee approved an ordinance toughening penalties for sexual crimes against women. Rapists may now face capital punishment if rape leads to the victim's death or a vegetative state.