New Delhi's High Court on Tuesday (September 24) adjourned a hearing in a case aimed at confirming the death sentence given to four men convicted for raping and murdering a woman in the city last December.

The four were sentenced to death early in September. It ended the seven-month trial, often held behind closed doors, that was punctuated dramatically by a fifth defendant hanging himself in his jail cell. A sixth, who was under 18 at the time of the attack, was earlier sentenced to three years detention, the maximum allowed under juvenile law.

The defence lawyer for two of the men, A P Singh, said on Tuesday that the court would begin hearing the arguments from Wednesday (September 25).

"Today Delhi gang rape case, fixed by references, and the confirmation of conviction and the sentence of the accused and therefore the convict in Delhi gang rape case. But today the case is adjourned for tomorrow noon for argument to start on behalf of the prosecution, on behalf of state in this case and after that we will have the defence counsel file an appeal on behalf of the convicts," said Singh.

Lawyers for all four men said they would appeal, which means their execution could still be years away. The case will go to the High Court and then Supreme Court. If they confirm the sentences, the final decision will lie with the president, who has the power to grant clemency.

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Read more: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/508540/20130924/delhi-gang-rape-death-appeal-india.htm