Delhi gang rape accused to be tried as child

AN INDIAN teenager accused of taking part in the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi last month will be tried as a juvenile, facing a maximum of three years in prison if convicted, a special panel ruled yesterday.

The 17-year-old has not yet been formally charged, because police were hoping he would be declared an adult so they could include him in the trial of his five co-accused.

Political leaders have called for the age at which people can be tried as adults to be lowered to 16 from 18.