LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Her name is anonymous, by Indian law, however she has galvanized the country and much of the world with her death. Called "Treasure" by some, her crime stands as a pleading representative for all victims of rape in India.

Rape is a problem in conservative India, with many cases going unreported because of the humiliation it brings. However, last month's brutal rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old medical student has an entire nation of 1.2 billion people talking.

Police say the victim boarded the wrong bus with a male friend, in an effort to get home after watching "The Life of Pi" in a local theater. The bus was not an official public bus, but rather a charter bus with tinted windows, which the accused rapists were driving on a joyride. The bus driver, who was also in on the crime, normally drove the bus as part of his employment.

When the gang of six would-be attackers spotted the couple, they stopped and the youngest assailant hailed the couple, telling them the bus was going to their destination.

Once underway, the attackers asked what the couple was doing out so late and they deviated from the expected route. The now suspicious male friend challenged the gang and he was beaten and gagged, knocked out with an iron rod, probably a tire-iron from police descriptions.

The victim herself was then carried to the back of the bus where she too was beaten and brutally raped as the bus continued to drive. In addition to raping her, the autopsy report said she was penetrated with a rusty L-shaped instrument, likely the same tire-iron used to beat her friend.

Although she fought back and even bit her assailants, the victim eventually fell unconscious. She was raped repeatedly and eventually the youngest assailant ripped out her intestines using his bare hands, causing severe trauma.

Once they were done, the attackers threw the pair from the bus. Witnesses say the bus then attempted to run the rape victim over, but her friend managed to drag her out of harm's way.

Police say the bus was subsequently cleaned by other accomplices, however they managed to locate and impound the vehicle. Police also arrested the attackers.

Although she survived the initial assault, the victim remained unconscious. Meanwhile national officials became involved. The government appointed a staff of physicians to see that she received the best care.

Fearing for gangrene, much of her intestines were removed. She also began showing signs of blood poisoning from infection.  She was eventually transported to a hospital in Singapore where she could receive organ transplants.

While in-flight to the hospital, the victim's blood pressure dropped and doctors saved her life, albeit temporarily, by performing a risky surgical procedure on the plane. On December 28, the victim died at the hospital having never regained consciousness.

Meanwhile, the perpetrators were in custody and several confessed their guilt.

Defense attorneys have refused to represent the men at trial because of the extreme nature of their crime, saying to represent them would be "immoral."

The men have been photographed at court, wearing black hoods. The six accused will be fast-tracked via a special court inaugurated to try their case over the coming weeks. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences, or even hanging.

The juvenile offender, who ripped out the victim's intestines, is being tested to verify his age. If possible, prosecutors will try him as an adult.

On the streets of New Delhi and elsewhere in India, massive public protests of outrage have been held. Composed mostly of women, the groups have gathered to bring public attention to the problem of rape in India. They say many cases go unreported and that few attackers are convicted. They accuse the legal system of treating women as perpetrators rather than assailants. 

Police say their case against the men is "watertight." If so, then it is likely the public outcry and the heinous nature of the crime could see all or at least several of the men hang for their crime. However, the enduring question is if this is enough to move the Indian Parliament to pass a new law, one that may be named for the as yet anonymous victim, that will strengthen protections for women and bring rapists to justice.

© 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.