Conviction Hindu and Hindu-derived contexts Satbari, South Delhi, India · 2021

India: Delhi temple priest given life imprisonment for raping two young girls

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

temple priest with a routine care role over children at the temple

Organization

No organization assigned

Spiritual nexus

The court's own words state the nexus: children at the temple, under its priest, in what should have been the safest room in their world.

Evidence structure

Proceedings

2021-08-06 · conviction and life sentence

Additional Sessions Court (POCSO), Delhi, India. Vishwa Bandhu, 76, priest of a temple at Satbari village in South Delhi, was convicted of repeatedly raping two girls aged seven and nine over about a week in August 2014 at the temple where they were in his care. On 6 August 2021 Additional Sessions Judge Vijeta Singh Rawat sentenced him to life imprisonment and awarded ₹7.5 lakh compensation, observing that he had 'desecrated the temple where children should have had a safe time'.

Primary record

legal news court reporting verdict and sentencing report 'Desecrated The Temple Where Children Should Have Had A Safe Time': Delhi Court Sentences Priest To Life Imprisonment', LiveLaw, 6 Aug. 2021.: Legal-news report of the sentencing.
national news agency sentencing report PTI via Outlook: 'Delhi court sentences priest to life imprisonment for raping two minor girls'.: Wire report naming the defendant and confirming sentence.
national newspaper court reporting investigative report Newslaundry ground report from Satbari, 18 Aug. 2021.: Independent ground reporting from the village.

Related record