A local newspaper in North London has reported that 88-year-old Pradobh Shukla, from Enfield, North London, was accused of alleged gross indecency towards a child and indecent assault, but has been spared jail as he suffers from dementia.
It is alleged that Shukla had abused Rita* and Rani, who were aged seven and nine at the time. The girls, who are now aged 23 and 25, attempted to take the former treasurer of the Enfield Over 50s Forum to court, only to be told that he was not fit to stand trial.
At a four-day trial of facts in September 2015, at Wood Green Crown Court, jurors unanimously agreed that Shukla allegedly “did all the acts charged against him”.
The two sisters, Rita and Rani were left sorrowful from this verdict. Rita, who accused Shukla of allegedly abusing her when she was seven said, “I knew it was wrong. Once he did it in front of people- he is fearless- but I was too young to understand. I told my sister and said I wanted to tell mum and dad- but she was scared and stopped me. But then we saw him in India and he did it in a temple, so I spoke up.”
The judge banned Pradobh Shukla from being in the same room as a child under the age of 16 without their parent or guardian, or spending the night in the same house with a child under the age of 16. He also has to sign the sex offenders register.
Regarding the verdict, Rani said, “It was a relief when he was found guilty, but a strange feeling. We feel as though we haven't got justice because he's not in prison. He's out there and can go to the library or wherever he wants... He is out and free to do whatever he wants, and he is mobile. That isn't fair.”
A representative of Pradobh Shukla issued a statement to Asian Voice which read, “The court decided that Mr Shukla was unfit to stand trial due to his poor health. This meant that a trial of facts was carried out where only one side of events was heard, therefore, Mr Shukla did not have an opportunity to state his case and defend himself against these allegations. Mr Shukla strongly denies all allegations and his whole family stand by him.”
*Names have been changed to protect their identities.
