The five men accused of the brutal rape and assault of the unidentified Indian girl in New Delhi were formally charged in a New Delhi court on Thursday with Gang Rape, Murder and Kidnapping and Conspiracy.

Authorities in India are awaiting bone marrow tests on a sixth suspect to determine his age; he is believed to be a minor. If that is so, he will be tried in a juvenile court.

The charges stem from a horrific attack that occurred on a New Delhi bus on December 16^th when the six suspects brutally assaulted the girl and her male companion as they were returning from a night at the movies. The suspects also raped the girl and also abused the girl with a metal pipe, as she fought back and bit three of her assailants. The victims were stripped of their clothes and thrown from the bus afterwards. Then, the men attempted to run her over, but the 23-year-old student was pulled clear at the last moment by her companion. The male victim was also robbed by the six accused prior to the assault.

The men admitted to the crimes according to the New Delhi police. According to the police, the men said that they committed the crimes to “teach her a lesson.” Police have gathered approximately 1,000 pages of evidence and testimony in the hour long attack, which included testimony by the surviving victim and bite mark evidence. The men face the sentence of hanging if convicted of their crimes with the exception of the minor suspect, who by Indian law cannot be hanged. He will face three years in a juvenile facility if convicted.

The girl, who was in very critical condition, suffering from severe internal injuries she suffered from the pipe, was flown to Singapore for treatment. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital there on Saturday. The un-named victim was returned to India after her death, cremated and her ashes were spread in the Ganges River in a private ceremony.

The girl’s rape ignited protests throughout India. Protesters called for tougher punishment for rape crimes. The slow pace of the investigation by police also caused running battles between police and protesters in the heart of New Delhi prior to Christmas. The incident also sparked outrage globally, and a step-up on the subject of rape by the media.

The Executive Board of the Saket Bar Association yesterday vowed not to represent any of the six victims as they face trial. The 11 members also appealed to the 7,000 members of the bar to abstain from representing the accused as well. If all of the 7,000 attorneys refrain, this will mean that lawyers from other districts will have to be sought, or lawyers will have to be appointed by the court.

The horrible crime has caused the country to take a closer look at their lax penalties for rape in India, and Lawmakers are considering toughening the nation’s laws against the rape and abuse of women in that country. Some are calling for the lawmakers to name the new law after the victim. Others say that naming the law after the unidentified student would be illegal. The father of the victim says that he supports having the law named after his daughter and is also calling for the hanging of the accused, as is the victim’s brother.

The Supreme Court in that country is also hearing a petition today to that would suspend all lawmakers who are facing charges of crimes against women. Six Indian lawmakers are currently facing charges of rape, and two others in India’s federal government are facing lesser charges. All told, in the last five years, political parties in India have nominated over 260 candidates facing charges in crimes against women in that country.

Police say that the trial will probably start this week as soon as all the evidence is gathered. It is expected that the case will be concluded within the month. The case will be heard by a fast-track court that was inaugurated just yesterday by India’s Chief Justice.