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23 May 2014
Mumbai Police Accused of Murder and Child
Sexual Abuse
A 16 year old and his three friends, all in their early twenties, were
kidnapped by the cops on a baseless charge. For over 48 hours the
boys were sexually abused, tortured and humiliated in custody. One of
the boys, 25 year old Angelo Valdaris, elder son of Leo Valdaris, lost
his life in the ordeal. The police tried to cover up his murder by
throwing his body under a train. They made up a story of how the
beaten and broken boy who could barely stand up allegedly tried to
escape from jail and was run over by a passing local.
When the incident was reported in the press, the government ordered
inquiry into the incident. But the inquiry fails to take into account
the enormity and heinousness of the crime. Inspite of the fact
that a minor was abused and humiliated sexually and that a
complaint was registered by the victim, the inquiry overlooks
the provisions of POCSO and no action has been taken under
the law.
In the meantime, the police continue to act with impunity. They have
been pressurizing the father of the 'murdered' boy and the abused
minor to withdraw their complaints. The police are trying to silence the
voices of the victims. In a state with the highest incidents of custodial
deaths in the country, if the police get their way, the case may yet end
up being just another statistic.
It is our responsibility to ensure that the innocent victims and their
loved ones pleas for justice continue to be heard. The power and
agency of their words must not be taken away from them. They must
persevere. Justice must be delivered.
To learn more about the case continue CLICK HERE.
At aarambh, we are actively involved in ensuring that the victims are
supported and perpetrators are booked.
You can support this fight for justice by ensuring that the voices
of the victims do not disappear into the silence.
Share this news. Spread the word. Keep the issue alive.
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Leo Valdaris, whose son Agnelo (inset) died in police custody, and Agnelos friends who were sexually abused
by cops
(Constables Ravi) Mane and Kamble stripped me naked and put me on a table. Mane assaulted
me with a belt and Kamble with a baton. They hit me so hard I fell unconscious. They poured water
on me. After I regained my senses, the torture started again. This time I was forced to perform oral
sex on Agnelo and the minor. When I refused, I was threatened with more beatings. Left with no
option, I did as asked."
Read The Mumbai Mirror front page Article on the Case
"In the evening, Leonard got a call from a policeman asking him to rush to Sion hospital because
Agnelo had slit his wrist and was admitted there. "When I met Agnelo he asked me to save him from
the police," Leonard said. "They will kill me. They beat me and don't give me any food," Agnelo
apparently told Leonard.
Read the DNAarticle on the case
While a police inquiry into the custodial death at the Wadala GRP outpost is still underway, the family
of the deceased, Agnelo Valdaris, are meeting the kin of the co-accused to build their case. "We
believe the co-accused, are being threatened not to support us," Agnelo's father, Leonard, told TOI
on Monday.
Read the TOI article on the case

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Aarambh is a joint initiative of Prerana and ADM Capital Foundation in India.
Our goal is to support communities to reduce, resist and report cases of Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation (CSA&E) in India, by working with civil
society, government agencies and the judiciary, through sharing resources and demonstrating best practices.
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