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Metropolitan Magistrate Geetanjali Goel, rejected the teacher Dilip Soloman’s plea that he be released on probation, noting that the move would send out a wrong signal to the society.
The court convicted Soloman under Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
The court, while pronouncing its order, relied on the testimony of the victim and ruled that the defence allegation that the girl had a motive to implicate could not be proven.
According to the prosecution, Soloman had molested the student on February 27, 2004 and March 19, 2004 during the lessons. She then told her mother about it and her parents lodged an FIR at Chanakyapuri police station. An in-house inquiry conducted by the music school reportedly went in favour of the accused.
The family then moved the Delhi High Court, which ordered a re-investigation. During the hearing, the child testified against the accused while Soloman had pleaded innocence.
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Tania, I agree with you. I also believe he is innocent. It was her word against his. I know him - he is honest and truthful. I wish I could get in touch with him and his family. They must be going through difficult times.
It is clear that in our Country, the In-house Investigations invariably try to close the Issue by acquitting the member of the Institution, in order to save the image of the Institution, at the expense of the Victim. Hence such sexual abuse cases should be decided by a Court of Law on fast track basis, to award justice to the Victim.
It is also clear, sir, that in our country law is anything but just. Has anyone bothered to find out anything about Mr. Solomon? I have studied under him. He has been my piano teacher too, and let me tell you, if you were to meet him even once you'd know that Mr. Solomon is not capable of EVER doing any such thing. He is very close to his wife and his daughter and as a teacher, he was never anything less than a father. Indian Law is not just in any way. Our law minister wants to make it mandatory for any man accused by a woman of molestation, to be put behind bars without being given even a trial. Is that justice? Put yourself in Mr. Solomon's position sir. He's innocent but there's nothing he or any of us can do because according to our law, a minor girl cannot lie. Our government clearly doesn't know what our girls are capable of.