Delhi gang-rape convicts set to appeal FOUR men sentenced to death in the Delhi gang-rape case are likely to appeal, their lawyers say. A special trial court handed down the sentences on September 13 after finding them guilty in the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old student in December. The case was referred to the Delhi High Court for confirmation of the sentence, which on Monday directed jail authorities to produce the men before it on Tuesday. "Production warrants have been issued, now the court will inquire whether they want to challenge the sentence," said AP Singh, the lawyer representing two of the defendants. My clients have decided to appeal against the sentence and that is what we will inform the court. We can file the appeal within 30 days from the date of verdict," he said. VK Anand and Vivek Sharma, lawyers for other defendants, also confirmed they would begin appeals. They have retained us as lawyers, barring last minute changes. The High Court will hear arguments from the prosecution and defence before deciding on the matter," Anand said. The appeal could take up to a year, Indian media outlets reported citing legal experts. A death sentence can be challenged in the High Court and the Supreme Court, after which the defendant can file a mercy petition with the president. The Delhi gang rape led to protests across the country and international outrage, prompting the government to amend laws to apply stricter punishments for rape including the death penalty if the victim died or was left in a vegetative state. The police charged six people initially. The case against one of the accused was dropped after he was found hanged in his cell in jail during the trial. The sixth accused, a juvenile, was found guilty by a juvenile court and sent to a correctional home for three years.