New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today overturned the acquittal of British nationals Duncan Grant and Alan Waters, who had been charged with child sexual abuse at the Anchorage shelter home for street children in Mumbai.
The men, who ran the shelter, had been convicted by a trial court in 2006 after five minor boys from the shelter testified against them. But in 2008, the Bombay High Court had acquitted them, saying the six year jail term awarded was too harsh a penalty.
The Supreme Court order also applies to Indian national William D Souza, who worked at the shelter and had also been convicted.
The Bombay High Court had doubted the authenticity of the witnesses who testified against Grant and Waters. But the Supreme Court said, "The analysis of the prosecution witness confirms the fact these three used to have sex with children."
The Supreme Court also said, "Children are the greatest gift to humanity. The sexual abuse of children is one of the most heinous crimes. It is an appalling violation of their trust, an ugly breach of our commitment to protect the innocent. There are special safeguards in the Constitution that apply specifically to children."
The men, who ran the shelter, had been convicted by a trial court in 2006 after five minor boys from the shelter testified against them. But in 2008, the Bombay High Court had acquitted them, saying the six year jail term awarded was too harsh a penalty.
The Supreme Court order also applies to Indian national William D Souza, who worked at the shelter and had also been convicted.
The Bombay High Court had doubted the authenticity of the witnesses who testified against Grant and Waters. But the Supreme Court said, "The analysis of the prosecution witness confirms the fact these three used to have sex with children."
The Supreme Court also said, "Children are the greatest gift to humanity. The sexual abuse of children is one of the most heinous crimes. It is an appalling violation of their trust, an ugly breach of our commitment to protect the innocent. There are special safeguards in the Constitution that apply specifically to children."
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