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