Electrician's Wife Maintains Innocence After Husband's Rape Conviction
The wife of an electrician convicted of raping a grandmother while he was supposed to be fitting solar panels at her home has taken a defiant public stand, proclaiming her husband's innocence despite overwhelming evidence presented in court.
Brutal Attack During Routine Home Visit
Indian-born Amol Vijay Dhumal, 45, was recently sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a then 75-year-old woman in her Mount Colah residence in Sydney's north-west during April 2024. The court heard that Dhumal had initially visited the property with two colleagues to install solar panels before returning alone two days later to address a power issue.
During the subsequent assault, the elderly victim testified that Dhumal made disturbing comments about his marital relationship before physically attacking her in her lounge room. She recalled crying out "You've got to be kidding" as the assault occurred.
Wife's Defiant Stance Amid Family Challenges
This week, Dhumal's wife Gouri continued to protest her husband's conviction, telling reporters: "I know my husband is innocent so I don't want to talk about it." The mother, who is raising twin boys alone including one diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, described her situation as particularly stressful due to limited community support.
"Just respect my privacy because there is no one around us that is helping," Ms Dhumal explained. "I'm in a stressful situation because there is no help from any community."
Overwhelming Evidence Against Defence Claims
Dhumal maintained throughout proceedings that he had engaged in consensual sexual activity with the elderly woman, but this claim was firmly rejected by a New South Wales District Court jury last September. Forensic evidence presented during the trial confirmed that Dhumal's semen was found in the victim's underwear.
The prosecution successfully argued that Dhumal had employed significant physical force during the assault, holding the woman down and lifting her legs against her will. Judge Craig Everson SC ultimately sentenced Dhumal to five years imprisonment, with parole eligibility set for April 2030.
Family Circumstances Presented in Mitigation
Dhumal's defence team highlighted the family's challenging circumstances during sentencing submissions, arguing that his incarceration would adversely affect his children's wellbeing and therapeutic progress. One twin requires substantial ongoing support for severe autism, while the other needs consistent speech therapy and parental engagement for language development.
In a character reference submitted to the court, Ms Dhumal described her husband as a "respectful, responsible, hardworking and kind person" who fulfilled his marital responsibilities with "sincerity, respect, and commitment." She acknowledged awareness of the charges against him but maintained he was a "loyal and caring husband" and dedicated father.
Catastrophic Impact on Elderly Victim
The victim's 1,549-word impact statement revealed devastating psychological consequences from the assault. Now 76, she described being "not living, but only existing" since the attack and feeling imprisoned within her own home despite Dhumal's incarceration.
"This is the most torturous tragedy of my life," she told the court. "I keep away my relatives, friends and all church and community activities, for the reason that I keep on breaking down." The grandmother has concealed the assault from her grandchildren to protect their perception of multicultural communities.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Dhumal has lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence, with psychological reports prepared for sentencing indicating his determination to "take this to the Supreme Court if necessary." He remains in custody pending appeal proceedings while maintaining regular telephone contact with his wife.
The case has highlighted complex intersections between criminal justice, family welfare considerations, and the profound trauma experienced by elderly victims of sexual violence.
