Blog #7 Orphanage founder gets death sentence

Ramchandra Karanjule, founder of the Kalyani Mahila Bal Seva Sanstha at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai, was given the death sentence for murdering of an inmate of the orphanage.  The court convicted six people, which included the founder, caretaker, and trustees of the orphanage, of sexually abusing 19 handicapped and mentally-challenged minor girls.  It is alleged that Karanjule and the others that were convicted, had been abusing the young women since 2007, up until 2011 when the case was registered.  Along with raping these young girls, Karanjule had also neglected to protect them from the others that were harming them.  It was observed that the 19 young girls were placed in a 250-square foot shop like enclosure, which had no doors, only a rolling shutter, and they were deprived of basic human rights such as health and education.  The article states that this is a case of custodial torture, custodial rape, and custodial murder.  There have been routine visits to the orphanage, however, the orphanage had knowledge of the death of five girls in three years, but no report submitted to a government authority nor to the Child Welfare Committee.  One of the young women that Karanjule has been accused of murdering died after being denied medical help, ignoring the fact that she had been ill for three months.  Aside from being sexually abused, the young women were beaten up and they had cigarette burns and scars on their bodies, and they were forcibly made to consume alcohol.  Prakash Khadke, who is the office-bearer of the orphanage, and friend of the founder Khandu Kasbe, were found guilty of rape, and were sentenced to life imprisonment.  Nanabhau, the nephew of Karanjule, was convicted of molesting the girls by using force, was sentenced to two years.

The average sentence for rape and sexual abuse crimes in the United States is 6-7 years in prison, with rape carrying more severe punishments.  In India, the average sentence is not less than 10 years but which may be liable for life and shall also be liable to fine, and provided the court may impose a sentence less than ten years for adequate and special reasons mentioned in judgement.  In regards to reading over this situation, it doesn't seem right that Nanabhau is only sentenced just 2 years for molesting the young girls by using force.  Any form of sexual abuse should be sentenced to more than two years.  In regards to this case, some of these convicts should have been given longer sentences.  These young women were at a disadvantage, and the workers there knew that very well, but they decided to take advantage of them because they knew that they were not going to be stopped, nor were any of the young women going to fully understand that what was being done to them was wrong and very harmful.  Denying anyone the right to seek medical care when they know that something is not right with there body is a violation of human rights.  These girls needed to have medical attention not only because of the sexual abuse that was taking place, but also because of where they were placed to live.  There may have been illnesses going around in that small area they were placed in and no one was going to do anything about that.  Also denying these young women education due to their circumstances that are out of their control, is another major violation to human rights.  All persons should have the right to education disabled or not. 

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/orphanage-founder-sentenced-to-death-for-murder-of-girl/article4535201.ece

http://www.totalcriminaldefense.com/crimes-a-z/sex/


http://www.legalindia.in/rape-laws-in-india

Tiara Paylor
3/21/13 11:52 pm