The trial of five men accused of the brutal gang rape and murder of a student in India's capital is starting in New Delhi, with a key witness arriving at court in a wheelchair.

The student's 28-year-old male companion was to begin giving evidence on Tuesday, his father said.

Police say the men lured the 23-year-old woman onto a bus in the city on December 16 where they repeatedly raped and assaulted her with a metal bar before throwing her onto a highway.

She died of internal injuries two weeks later.

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Outrage over the crime prompted the government to hastily pass new legislation allowing for harsher penalties for sex crimes, including the death penalty.

The prosecution says it has large swathes of evidence, including DNA samples, the victim's blood-stained clothes, mobile phone records and eyewitness testimony.

The defence is expected to argue the evidence has been fabricated.

The trial is being held in front of one of India's recently created fast-track courts, aimed at dealing justice swiftly in a country where cases can often languish for years in the legal system.

It will be held before a judge, but no jury, and media will not be allowed inside the courtroom.