The priest coming out of the Frankston Magistrate court
By our legal reporter
Melbourne, 3 March: A Frankston court, Magistrate today ordered the Sri Lankan passport of a Hindu priest to be impounded and barred him from going near any airport in Australia. He was asked to deposit his passport within 24 hours at the Frankston police station. Premakanthan Rajaratnasarma, a priest at Melbourne’s Sri Shiva Vishnu temple, Carrum Downs is facing alleged Indecent Sexual Assault charges in relation to a woman of Indian origin. The court also granted him bail till March 15 when the case will be heard again.
Earlier, the case came up for’ mentioning’ and the ‘prosecution’ produced a devotee of the temple who gave evidence that there was a chance of the Hindu priest fleeing the country.
Premakanthan Rajaratnamsarma, was arrested last year on May 23 from his residence in the temple complex after complaints by an Indian origin woman of alleged indecent sexual assault. The Sri Lankan priest is working in the temple run by the Hindu Society of Victoria on a work contract.
In Australia, indecent assault is defined by law as any unwanted sexual behaviour or touching which is forced upon people against their will. The meaning of indecency depends upon prevailing views of what is unacceptable behaviour. This might include behaviour such as forcing someone to watch pornography or masturbation.
Each State has provisions which describe the crime of indecent assault, which require proof of an assault. Assault is legally defined as unlawful contact or an apprehension of unlawful contact. Consent is not a defence if the child is under 16.
The charges if proved are punishable by imprisonment.
4 Responses
I have known this priest for a long time and he has always been a good source of inspiration rather than what he has been portrayed in this situation. I know there are always two sides to a storey, but I hope this story is investigated fully and the truth comes out of it. I have all the faith that this priest is not and will not behave the way he has been accused to have behaved. It just looks like a story created to tarnish this priest’s reputation.
this woman is a liar and theith and has anphetimines habit
IT IS SAD THAT THE DEVOTEE IS FOCUSING ON THE PRIEST AND NOT THE VICTIM.
IF THE VICTIM IS ASKING FOR JUSTICE THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM THAT MEANS WE ARE NOT READY TO LISTEN TO HER.
THEN WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE TEMPLE,DHARMA,DISCIPLINE AND AT THE END THE ATTAINMENT TO LORD SHIVA IF WE DONT ACCEPT THE FACT OF LIFE .
I don’t think if there is any truth in this story although the case is in the court! There is a conspiracy in this case and there are people deliberately working against this innocent priest! If the editor focuses on some of the locals who are behind this conspiracy he will get better story than this! Leave this poor soul alone!
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