The Indian couple facing criminal charges of child abusewere convicted today by a district court here with the father getting an18-month jail term and mother being sentenced to 15 months.
Chandrasekhar Vallabhaneni, a software professional from AndhraPradesh, and his wife Anupama, who were arrested by the police last month, wereconvicted for gross or repeated maltreatment of their child/children bythreats, violence or other wrong.
The prosecution had proposed a sentence of 18 months for thefather and 15 months for the mother in the case which was upheld by the Court.
Reacting to the Court verdict, Indian officials in theMinistry of External Affairs said,"our embassy in Norway has been in touchwith the Indian nationals involved in the case.
"Even during the course of their detention the ConsularOfficer has been in touch with them. We will continue to render necessaryconsular assistance and will be in touch with their lawyer."
Justifying the arrest and charges, Kurt Lir, Head ofProsecution, Oslo Police Department, had told PTI that "there were burnmarks and scars on the body of the child, who has also been beaten by thebelt."
