New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS): The secretary of a church, deposing before a Delhi court here Friday, refuted a Dec 16 gang-rape case accused's claim that he was at a music event organised by it on the night of the incident.

The brother of a church, also its secretary, was brought as a witness before Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna to counter the claim of Vinay Sharma who had in his statement said he was not in the bus at the time of the incident.

Sharma claimed that he was not in the bus in which six people, including a juvenile had allegedly tortured and gang-raped a 23-year-old girl Dec 16 but had gone to a music event organised by the church in the DDA district park in Hauz Khas, south Delhi and co-accused Pawan Gupta was also present there.

"It is wrong to suggest our church had organised any programme Dec 16, 2012 in DDA district park at Hauz Khas or that I am deposing falsely in this regard. We are Protestants and our church does not celebrate Christmas," the witness said.

He added: "No musical programmes are organised in the family prayers. May be the members of families sing before the prayer. It is wrong to suggest that the families who do not have space organise the family prayers in the parks."

The juvenile is facing proceedings before a Juvenile Justice Board, while the four other accused were put up for trial in the fast-track court. One of the accused allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail, where he was lodged.