video transcript

Indian authorities are scrambling to address how a notorious prisoner sharing a cell with three other inmates was able to hang himself without anyone noticing. Ram Singh was the alleged ringleader in the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in Delhi last December. He was found hanged in his cell in Tihar prison last Monday. Singh's parents said an injured hand meant he wouldn't have been able to do such a thing. They believe he was murdered. One former inmate says those accused of sex crimes are regularly attacked by other inmates. This lawyer, who has represented a number of Tihar inmates, says violence inside is common but underreported. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER, NITESH KUMAR SINGH, SAYING: "Violence per se is not a new thing, it's just that it never gets reported in Tihar prison because somewhere the prison authorities have this vested interest in presenting it as a model prison." Although some officials have said the prison is overcrowded the former director of Tihar, Kiran Bedi, says it is a model jail providing counselling, yoga and meditation rooms for inmates. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TIHAR JAIL, KIRAN BEDI, SAYING: "Things are much, much better compared to western prisons. Tihar is a role model for the variety of reformative programmes we have." Tihar remains India's largest prison and more than 12,000 prisoners are packed into a facility meant for about half that number. Ram Singh was one of five men on trial for the December rape and murder. All have denied the charges.