The victim's father lit the funeral pyre at around 7.30 am in the presence of the family members and relatives a few hours after the dead body was brought to Delhi in a special aircraft of Air India on Sunday.

The dead body of India's brave daughter, who fought for her life for 13 days, was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The mortal remains were taken to the girl's residence at around 3.30 am for final rituals before being taken to the crematorium.

Several politicians like Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, Home Affairs Minister RPN Singh, West Delhi MP Mahabal Mishra and Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta attended the funeral. The public and media were not allowed in the crematorium.

The 23-year-old medical student was raped, severely beaten and thrown off a moving bus along with her male friend by six men on Dec 16, triggering one of the biggest protests in Delhi. The six accused have been arrested and the trial is expected to begin early January.

She went through multiple organ transplants at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, and major portion of her intestines was removed due to the injuries from the attack. She was airlifted to the Singapore hospital on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to save her.

The horrific gang rape sparked outrage among people and mass protests were held in Delhi and other parts of the country. The demonstrations led to outbursts of violence between the protestors and police forces. A constable, who was found unconscious at Tilak Marg near India Gate, the epicentre of the protests, was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The Delhi Crime Branch is currently investigating the cause of his death.