India Gang-Rape Suspect's Food Poisoned: Lawyer

Vinay Sharma rushed to hospital in 'critical condition'
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 15, 2013 8:46 AM CDT
India Gang-Rape Suspect's Food Poisoned: Lawyer
In this March 11, 2013 file photo, an Indian police officer prepares to close one of the gates at Tihar Jail, the largest complex of prisons in South Asia, in New Delhi, India.   (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

One of the suspected attackers in the December gang-rape that rocked India has been poisoned and then assaulted in jail, his lawyer says. Vinay Sharma was taken to a New Delhi hospital yesterday with chest injuries after he was "beaten up and thrashed" by other inmates, his lawyer says; he also says the 20-year-old was "vomiting blood and running a very high fever" after having his food slowly poisoned since the beginning of the month. The lawyer says Sharma is in "critical condition," AFP reports.

The news comes weeks after bus driver Ram Singh, the alleged ringleader in the case, was found dead in his jail cell. His death by hanging was ruled a suicide, but his lawyers say it was actually murder. In addition to Sharma, three other adults and one juvenile are on trial for the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student who was attacked on a bus while traveling with a male companion. (More New Delhi stories.)

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