SC restrains 2 Britons in child-abuse case from leaving country

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today restrained the two Britishers including a retired Navy Officer, who are facing allegations of child abuse, from leaving the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices C K Thakker and P Sathasivam also issued notices to the two accused, Duncan Grant(63) and a retired Naval Officer from England, Allan Walters(58), who were acquitted by Bombay High Court on July 23.

The two foreigners were found guilty of sodomising young boys by indulging in unnatural sex at Anchorage Children Home, in Mumbai by the trial court.

The two were sentenced to six years imprisonment with a fine of 10, 000 pounds each.

Head of the children's home D' Souza was also sentenced to three years imprisonment for torturing the victims so that they do not lodge the complaint against the culprits.

The Supreme Court has also directed the authorities not to release the passports of the two Britishers.

Walters was extradited from England in 2003.

An NGO, Childline and the State of Maharashtra have challenged the High Court order of acquittal in the Supreme Court .

The case was registered against them when some boys lodged a police complaint the culprits in 2001.

The apex court also directed to convey today's order to British Ambassy in India.

UNI SC RSA DS1255