Written by Omkar GokhaleMumbai | December 20, 2025 10:14 PM IST 3 min readThe court observed, “There is no dispute about the correct translation and interpretation made by expert interpreters in recording of evidence.” (File Photo)The victims’ testimonies in sign language and experts who interpreted them played a role in the conviction of a former principal and a teacher for sexually assaulting and harassing specially-abled minor girls in their school.A 13-year-old hearing and speech impaired girl in her complaint had stated that the accused used to call girls to his office and used to misbehave with them since she had joined the school.The court noted that complainant/informant’s evidence was recorded with the help of an expert in sign language, especially when the victim would not be able to understand questions asked by the prosecutor. Initial statements of the informant/victim was video-recorded.However, lawyer for the accused argued that the testimonies of three victims were “vague and not reliable” as the exact date and period during which the alleged instances took place were not provided by them.“Despite of the difficulties, the victim has given minute details of the instances of molestation by the two accused. When the instances were recurring, may be with some intervals, for the period of more than two years, it is obviously difficult for the victims to remember either date or exact period,” the court noted.“The court cannot expect evidence of the victim with such a precision, especially when she is a special child. What is important to note here is that victim had no reason to make false allegations or accusations against any of the accused. The sequence of evidence given by her are consistent to the case of prosecution and the other evidence on record,” the court noted.Another teacher and managing trustee of the school, who were defence witnesses, claimed that the sign language was not in the school’s syllabus. They said education was provided by oral aural method and only in 2013 school management received a letter to introduce sign language in the school; however, the same was not allowed that time. However, presently it is introduced as per government’s directions.Story continues below this ad“When his evidence is read carefully, what can be gathered is that although sign language was not specifically taught in the school, it was used by the teachers and students for convenience. More importantly, statements of the victims and other students of the school were recorded by the Investigating Officer with the help of experts in sign language.”The court observed, “There is no dispute about the correct translation and interpretation made by expert interpreters in recording of evidence.”Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd