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A banner is displayed on January 16, 2013 calling for the death penalty for suspects in a fatal gang-rape in New Delhi/AFP

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Delhi gang rape trials move towards conclusion

A banner is displayed on January 16, 2013 calling for the death penalty for suspects in a fatal gang-rape in New Delhi/AFP

A banner is displayed on January 16, 2013 calling for the death penalty for suspects in a fatal gang-rape in New Delhi/AFP

NEW DELHI, Aug 22 – The trials of five suspects for the fatal gang rape of an Indian student on a bus last December moved towards their conclusions on Thursday, with the first verdict set for August 31.

The Supreme Court cleared a juvenile court to hand down its verdict at the end of the month on a teenager charged over the brutal assault, which shocked India and sparked weeks of protests.

The juvenile court has four times delayed ruling on the under age suspect because of a legal challenge, but the Supreme Court ruled that this should not hold up proceedings any longer.

Separately, the prosecution began its final arguments at a fast track court in southern New Delhi where the trial of four adult defendants is underway.

Special public prosecutor Dayan Krishnan started his arguments by stating that the suspects had “pre planned the conspiracy to loot, rape and murder their prey”.

“What is so significant about this case is the extreme brutality of the injury. The extreme torture and the nature of the injury is such that it is clear they intended to murder their victims,” he said.

“The brutality is grotesque to say the least,” he stated in his submission before the judge.

Police allege the men repeatedly raped the 23 year old woman who was also sexually assaulted with an iron rod. They then dumped her and a male friend along a highway naked and bleeding.

Her injuries were so severe that she died two weeks after the attack. The woman’s friend who was with her on the bus was also severely beaten, police say.

Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna, who was been hearing the case since the trial began in February, will deliver his verdict once the arguments conclude. A defence lawyer said this could take “another few hearings”.

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“The prosecution will require at least another five days to present his final case. I will require at least 15 more sittings,” defence counsel A. P. Singh told AFP outside the court.

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