No entry for pedophiles

The judgment in the Anchorage shelter case where two foreigners, Duncan Grant and Allen Walters, were sentenced for pedophilia crimes, is a strong indictment of this heinous crime and also an unambiguous signal that India will not become another spot on the world sex tourism map. In fact, the judge in the case said as much when he sentenced the duo to a term of six years in prison and a fine of 20,000 pounds, one of the heftiest fines administered in such cases.

But the court’s admirable strictures may not necessarily put an end this sordid practice. In this case too, the court came down heavily on the Mumbai police for shoddy investigations. Child sex tourism is a frighteningly well-organised operation and police enforcement in India has been notoriously lax. A decade or so ago, the Interpol has listed Goa as an organised hub of such activities and other states too have been known to attract such offenders.

This case is particularly disturbing because of its sheer audacity. The duo operated a registered orphanage in the heart of Colaba and a lot of this was run on money sent in by well-meaning foreign donors. Those exploited often had no one to turn to since they were either orphans or beggars from the harsh streets of Mumbai. Not only was pedophilia rampant at the shelter—it was also brazen. The place is a few minutes walk from the police station. It is only the courage of two boys, who stood by their testimony in spite of threats and bribe offers, which put the duo behind bars.

Questions should be asked about the tardiness of the Mumbai police in the whole matter and the police bosses need to take the court’s views seriously and clamp down on this practice.

The judgment is an indication that India is at last waking up to the horrors of pedophilia which is fast spreading its tentacles in some hot tourist spots in the region. Indeed, other countries in South Asia and South East Asia have come down heavily on it—witness the recent jailing of a well-known British rock star in Cambodia for indulging in sex with minors.

The offenders may be hoping to shift base to India, taking advantage of relaxed policing. If so, this judgment should serve as sufficient warning that India will not allow its vulnerable children to be exploited by anyone—foreigners or Indians.