CHARANJIT OF NEWTOWNABBEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN BELFAST

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Newtownabbey and Belfast, Charanjit, a 46-year-old man known within the Indian community as a holy man and healer, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. The sentencing took place in Belfast, where Judge David McFarland described the crimes as committed in a 'most vile fashion,' highlighting the egregious nature of the offenses.

Charanjit was convicted in his absence last month after a lengthy trial that revealed the extent of his manipulative and exploitative behavior. The court heard that he had been diagnosed with a heart condition, which led to an adjournment last week when he was hospitalized and subsequently underwent heart surgery. Despite his absence, the judge sentenced him, emphasizing that he could be deported to India at any point—either during his incarceration, after serving his sentence, or upon completion of his jail term.

The defendant, who claimed to be a member of the Punjabi Armed Police, presented himself as a spiritual healer capable of performing divine acts, including healing through water. However, the court found that he exploited this religious facade to manipulate the girl’s family and gain their trust. Once trusted, Charanjit subjected the young girl to sexual assault in a manner that the judge described as 'cruel and vile.'

Judge McFarland pointed out that the abuse occurred right under the nose of the girl’s mother, who was present in the home and waiting in the next room, expecting a healing session. Instead, she was unaware that her daughter was being raped by Charanjit. The judge condemned the actions as falling into the most serious category of sexual exploitation, noting that the use of religion to breach trust compounded the severity of the crimes. Such betrayal, he added, could even shake the faith of the victim’s parents.

Charanjit, residing at Twinburn Gardens in Newtownabbey, was found guilty of eight charges, including four counts of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual acts. The victim, now 14, recounted that in October 2013, she was brought to Charanjit for treatment of a stomach complaint, a visit that would turn into a traumatic experience. She described how Charanjit diagnosed a stone in her stomach and then, during the consultation, pulled down her pants and sexually abused her while chanting, 'Stone come out, come out stone.'

Following the assault, Charanjit instructed her not to tell her parents but to claim that he had felt her stomach and that the stone had been passed. The girl later testified that during subsequent visits, Charanjit continued to manipulate her, offering her a choice between a painful operation or him removing the stone himself. On the second visit, he repeated the same procedure, instructing her to tell her family she had passed the stone.

As the abuse continued, Charanjit began visiting the girl’s home under the guise of checking on her health. Instead, he used these visits to lift her clothing and touch her inappropriately. When questioned by police, Charanjit denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he only prayed over a glass of water, which was then given to the girl. However, pre-sentence reports painted a different picture, indicating that Charanjit had assumed a paternal role within the family, which he exploited to carry out his abuse. The reports also highlighted the significant negative impact on the girl’s well-being and noted that Charanjit showed no remorse for his actions.

Throughout the trial, the court heard that Charanjit’s actions not only betrayed the trust of the girl and her family but also cast doubt on their faith, as they believed in his spiritual authority. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, raising concerns about the exploitation of religious figures and the vulnerability of young victims.

In a related development in October 2014, Charanjit was found guilty of similar charges, including two counts of rape and sexual assault, relating to the same girl. The jury, after more than five hours of deliberation, returned a majority verdict. The court remanded him into custody until his sentencing scheduled for the following month, as the court considered the full extent of his misconduct and the impact on the victim.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance within communities and the need for safeguarding vulnerable children from individuals who abuse positions of trust for their own gratification.