Hindu monk gets 10-yr for sodomy

The division bench, comprising Justice M.F. Saldanha and Justice K. Ramanna, on January 30 convicted the monk of the charge of homosexuality under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and today pronounced the sentence. The judges allowed the criminal appeal by the state government and set aside the order of acquittal passed by the trial court. The bench also allowed the appeal filed by the victim, Deepak Singh.

The prosecution submitted that the accused had been appointed successor to the senior pontiff. It was also alleged that on August 29, 1986, the 13-year-old student staying in the mutt for education and lodging became the victim of the offence. The trial court had acquitted the accused on November 24, 1998.