Victim's family demands bone test to verify age of accused

As news of the sixth accused in the December 16 Delhi gang rape case being declared a juvenile by a local court flashed on television screens, the victim's family looked on in disbelief. Darpan Singh reports.

As news of the sixth accused in the December 16 Delhi gangrape case being declared a juvenile by a local court flashed on television screens, the victim's family looked on in disbelief.

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"It's shocking. I cannot believe what's happening. This is not acceptable to us," said the 53-year-old father of the victim.

"Why cannot the accused be subjected to a bone density test? We will move court, protest at Jantar Mantar, do whatever is needed to ensure this accused - like the five others - is tried as an adult. All of them must be hanged," he told Hindustan Times.

"We are seeking support from the public. Age details in schools certificates are often fudged. It's no secret. Bone test is scientific. Why cannot they get it done? Our sister was named India's Daughter. Will the people of this country let the most brutal of the accused get away like this? We want justice," said the victim's elder brother

"Chahe kahin bhi jana pade, jayenge. Hum kaagaj ko nahi maante. Bone test karna hi padega. (We will do whatever it takes. We don't acknowledge the school's certificate. The accused will have to be subjected to a bone test)," the father said.

"Just because he is a few weeks shy of turning an adult, he can commit the most heinous of crimes and get away?," asked the younger brother of the 23-year-old physiotherapist.

"A medical examination of the accused who claimed he was a minor was the least the government could have done to ensure justice to our sister," the elder brother said.