Delhi gangrape case: New twist, as two accused appoint new lawyer

In yet another twist in the Delhi gangrape case, two of the accused, Mukesh and Akshay Thakur, have replaced their lawyers, appointing advocate M L Sharma to represent them. Sharma, who had briefly represented Mukesh in the case, arrived in court with signed undertakings by two of the accused dated March 19 (Tuesday) appointing him their lawyer. Mukesh is the brother of Ram Singh, a prime accused in the case who allegedly committed suicide in the high security Tihar jail on March 11.  "Mukesh’s mother and brother approached me yesterday morning. We had a meeting and then I went to meet Mukesh in Tihar in the evening. While I was talking to Mukesh, Akshay Thakur sent word that he also wanted to change his lawyer and wanted me to represent him," Sharma said. Mukesh’s parents were also present in court. Until now Mukesh was being represented by V K Anand and Akshay Thakur by A P Singh. There was frantic activity outside the courtroom with Anand and Singh caught completely by surprise by the latest development. “I have no comment. The lawyer has been changed,” Anand said, reacting to being replaced by Mukesh. “I am no longer representing Akshay Thakur. I am only defending Vinay Sharma,” said Singh when asked if he was representing Akshay Thakur. The trial of the Delhi gang-rape case is underway at a fast-track court in Saket. The four accused are on trial for the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student and attack on her friend on the night of December 16. The fifth accused, a juvenile, is facing trial before the juvenile justice board.