Gang deny brutal rape, killing of girl

"The court has directed that charge sheet copies should be provided to all the accused. The next date of hearing is April 28," Sharma told reporters.

The girl was kidnapped, drugged and raped over five days at the temple in January before being strangled and bludgeoned with a rock.

The case ignited moral outrage and mass demonstrations across India after details of her gruesome death were made public by police last week.

The temple's custodian, retired public servant Sanji Ram, is accused of conspiring with four police officers, a friend, his son and a juvenile nephew to kill the girl and destroy crucial evidence.

Scenes of lawyers trying to stop police from entering court to file charges against the accused evoked disgust and a warning from India's highest court against any attempts to obstruct justice.