Here's a breakdown of a recent court decision involving serious charges against members of a family running an orphanage in Raigad, Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court has delivered its decision on this case, which involves multiple allegations of abuse.
Christian Rajendran, Joy Rajendran, and Salomi Rajendran were accused of various crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The charges stem from incidents at Shanti Ashram, an orphanage in Chambharli, Raigad.
The case began when Advocate Manisha Tulpule, President of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Karjat, learned from a school teacher about possible abuse at the orphanage. On April 29, 2015, Tulpule visited Shanti Ashram and found the children scared. Following this, ten girls were medically examined between May 6 and May 13, 2015, at a hospital in Karjat. The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) based on medical reports and further investigations.
The trial involved statements from 21 witnesses, including the victims and doctors. The evidence included medical reports and statements from the children.
The Bombay High Court, led by Judge R. M. Joshi, upheld the convictions of Christian and Salomi Rajendran but found Joy Rajendran not guilty due to insufficient evidence.
"The evidence conclusively proves the guilt of accused No.1 of having sexual intercourse with witness No.5-K and witness No.6-SAB."
Joy Rajendran: Found not guilty due to lack of supporting evidence from the victims and inconsistencies in testimonies.
Salomi Rajendran: Found guilty for not reporting the offenses. However, her sentence was reduced to the time already served in jail.
The court decided that Christian Rajendran was guilty of serious offenses, while Salomi Rajendran was guilty of not reporting them. Joy Rajendran was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence. This case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and strong evidence in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring justice.
