India files murder charges in gang rape

  • NEW: The suspects already faced rape charges
  • NEW: A medical team in Singapore is conducting an autopsy
  • Gang rape of a 23-year-old in New Delhi galvanizes the nation
  • Police brace for more protests after her death

New Delhi, India (CNN) -- Indian authorities added murder charges Saturday for suspects in the brutal gang rape that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman and sent outraged protesters to the streets.

The suspects already faced rape charges.

Six people, including a minor and a bus driver, have been arrested in connection with the rape that occurred in New Delhi this month.

Throngs of protesters have taken to the streets for days, demanding more protection for women and punishment for those behind the assault.

Fearing massive protests following the death, police tightened security in the capital city of Delhi and barricaded some sites of previous rallies.

Authorities said demonstrations are only allowed at Jantar Mantar observatory and the Ram Lila grounds, which were the scene of previous rallies.

Police banned protests in Raisina Hills and closed roads leading to the area, fearing a possible repeat of the furious, large-scale demonstrations that occurred last weekend. Ten metro stations also were ordered closed, authorities said.

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The woman was airlifted to Singapore earlier this week after she was treated for injuries in a New Delhi hospital.

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Singapore doctors said she died "peacefully" early Saturday surrounded by her family and Indian embassy officials. A medical team in Singapore is conducting an autopsy.

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The woman had been in "extremely critical condition" since her arrival at the Singapore hospital Thursday, and took a turn for the worse, said Dr. Kelvin Loh, chief executive officer at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Students in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, December 27, protest a recent brutal gang-rape in the city. Authorities erected security barriers throughout New Delhi's key government district after two days of street battles following a woman's gang rape on a bus on December 16. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm and pledged safety for women and children.Students in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, December 27, protest a recent brutal gang-rape in the city. Authorities erected security barriers throughout New Delhi's key government district after two days of street battles following a woman's gang rape on a bus on December 16. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm and pledged safety for women and children.
Demonstrators shout slogans and wave placards as they move toward India Gate in New Delhi on December 27.Demonstrators shout slogans and wave placards as they move toward India Gate in New Delhi on December 27.
Riot police keep watch along a sealed-off road near the India Gate monument on Monday, December 24, in New Delhi after weekend clashes between protesters and police.Riot police keep watch along a sealed-off road near the India Gate monument on Monday, December 24, in New Delhi after weekend clashes between protesters and police.
Police fire tear gas on Sunday, December 23, during a protest calling for better safety for women following last week's rape. Thousands of protesters defied a ban on demonstrations in New Delhi on Sunday, venting their anger over the incident.Police fire tear gas on Sunday, December 23, during a protest calling for better safety for women following last week's rape. Thousands of protesters defied a ban on demonstrations in New Delhi on Sunday, venting their anger over the incident.
Police attempt to disperse protesters on December 23. For a second day, demonstrators were blasted with water cannons in the Indian capital. While some dispersed, others huddled tightly in a circle to brave high-pressure streams in the cold December weather.Police attempt to disperse protesters on December 23. For a second day, demonstrators were blasted with water cannons in the Indian capital. While some dispersed, others huddled tightly in a circle to brave high-pressure streams in the cold December weather.
Demonstrators turn a car over on December 23.Demonstrators turn a car over on December 23.
Students chant anti-police slogans during a protest against the Indian government's reaction to recent rape incidents in India, on Saturday, December 22, in New Delhi, India. The demonstration was prompted by wide public outrage over what police said was the gang-rape and beating of a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in the capital last Sunday.Students chant anti-police slogans during a protest against the Indian government's reaction to recent rape incidents in India, on Saturday, December 22, in New Delhi, India. The demonstration was prompted by wide public outrage over what police said was the gang-rape and beating of a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in the capital last Sunday.
Demonstrators react from tear gas fired by police on December 22. New Delhi alone reported 572 rapes last year and more than 600 in 2012.Demonstrators react from tear gas fired by police on December 22. New Delhi alone reported 572 rapes last year and more than 600 in 2012.
Police arrest a demonstrator during a protest on December 22. Sunday's attack sparked furious protests across India, where official data show that rape cases have jumped almost 875% over the past 40 years -- from 2,487 in 1971 to 24,206 in 2011.Police arrest a demonstrator during a protest on December 22. Sunday's attack sparked furious protests across India, where official data show that rape cases have jumped almost 875% over the past 40 years -- from 2,487 in 1971 to 24,206 in 2011.
Police unleash water cannon and fire tear gas towards demonstrators on December 22.Police unleash water cannon and fire tear gas towards demonstrators on December 22.
Demonstrators react as police fire tear gas on December 22.Demonstrators react as police fire tear gas on December 22.
Indian demonstrators march towards India Gate during the protest on December 22.Indian demonstrators march towards India Gate during the protest on December 22.
Indian demonstrators carry an injured man from the scene on December 22.Indian demonstrators carry an injured man from the scene on December 22.
Police spray water and fire tear gas towards demonstrators on December 22.Police spray water and fire tear gas towards demonstrators on December 22.
Demonstrators push against a police barricade on December 22.Demonstrators push against a police barricade on December 22.
Students chant anti-police slogans on December 22.Students chant anti-police slogans on December 22.
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Photos: India rape protestPhotos: India rape protest

"She had suffered from severe organ failure following serious injuries to her body and brain," Loh said. "She was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds, but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome."

Authorities have not released the name of the woman, but Indian protesters are calling her Damini, which means "lightning" in Hindi.

"Damini" is also a 1993 Bollywood film whose lead female character fights for a housemaid, a victim of sexual assault.

India's ambassador to Singapore said her relatives, who are Hindus and live in New Delhi, have asked for privacy.

Attackers assaulted the woman and her male companion on a bus on December 16, robbing them of their belongings before dumping them at the side of a road, police said.

The male companion was eventually discharged from a hospital.

Last week, police said the woman recovered enough to give a statement to a magistrate from her hospital bed. But on Sunday, she underwent another surgery to wash out infection in her abdomen, her doctors said.

The death spurred an outpouring of sadness and calls for action to ensure change and punishment of her rapists.

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