India, Feb. 28 -- More than 18 years after the brutal rape and murder of 17-year-old girl shook Andhra Pradesh, the long legal battle on Friday ended without justice for her family, as her parents were handed a bag containing their daughter's skeletal remains inside a Vijayawada court.

At the special CBI court, the victim's 62-year-old father and her 60-year-old mother stood silently as court officials handed over a bag containing what was left of their daughter's mortal remains. Outside the court, the mother told reporters that their faith in the justice system has been completely shattered.

"After 18 long years of struggle, this is what we have got. Our hopes have died. Even the last flicker of belief that justice would be served has ...